Station Road, South Norwood.

10 September 2023.

As part of the 2023 Croydon Borough of Culture programme and the Carnival of Invention, NJA presented JunKAction Celebration in South Norwood, a festival dedicated to litter picking and art making. The event featured a four-and-a-half-metre replica of the South Norwood Clock Tower, created by South Norwood Primary School pupils after their litter-picking sessions. A series of workshops led to the creation of this iconic sculpture.

The festival also hosted a range of free activities, including a litter-picking tour led by volunteer Marley King, where participants discovered hidden spots and viewed public sculptures made by NJA. A street map by artist Becky James guided the tour.

Thanks to the Peabody Community Grant, NJA produced a Litter Picking Manual in the style of IKEA instructions, highlighting the health benefits of litter picking. This limited-edition booklet was available for visitors to take home.

The event also featured Frank Chicken, a London-based punk band, performing in costumes made from litter picked in South Norwood. Additionally, the Luminous Passage installation, created by light designer Issac Matovu, was set up in the station underpass, shining with light from plastic bottles collected in the community.

JunKAction Celebration was funded by the Ignite Fund, with support from Stanley Arts and local volunteers.