London’s art world is starting to stir after almost a year of closures, with the ‘Post-lockdown West End Gallery HOP!’ kicking off a summer of exciting cultural events.

Throughout 2020, the outbreak of coronavirus forced galleries to shut their doors and cancelled many long-anticipated exhibitions. Now art lovers, collectors and ‘just curious’ visitors alike can finally experience some artwork at the special spring edition of the Mayfair Art Weekend (MAW), which marks the easing of lockdown restrictions in England.

Organisers of the West End ‘Gallery HOP!’ are hoping it will “re-engage audiences with art and culture in real life following months of digital fatigue.” The one-night event on 23 April 2021 will see over 30 galleries across Mayfair and the surrounding areas of Soho, Fitzrovia, St James’s and Marylebone open for visitors until 8pm.

“MAW has continued to grow each year, creating a great platform to promote British culture in a cool, public, interactive and engaging way,” explained British pop artist Philip Colbert in a previous interview.

Since 2014 MAW has celebrated the West End’s world-renowned gallery district. The event was delayed in 2020 as a result of government coronavirus restrictions and took place instead during the autumn. MAW delivered a new adapted programme that “created a buzz in Mayfair while safely re-engaging audiences with art and culture”.

This year the full programme is back, as well as last year’s adapted initiatives, on 25 to 27 June 2021. Visitors can follow covid-compliant trails at a safe distance to explore sculptural installations, moving image displays and the inaugural Mayfair Gallery Publication Award.

“This is one big art attack you’re going to want to see,” declared a spokesperson for Time Out. “Head west to Mayfair Art Weekend and join in the three days of public events, exhibitions and experiences. From modern art to Old Masters, there’s something for everyone.” 

Boodle Hatfield has proudly been sponsoring Mayfair Art Weekend since it started in 2014.