Art Map London
Art event discovery platform for London galleries built with Laravel.
Project Overview
Art Map London is a platform I helped build to help art enthusiasts discover gallery openings and events across London. It addresses the challenge of finding art events that are often only known to insiders in the art scene.
The site allows galleries to easily submit events, including location details, descriptions, and images. Users can browse listings, search by keyword, or filter by category to find events that interest them.
The Story
After first coming to London, my partner Jenny and I were excited about the art scene and wanted to find new art openings across the city. However, there was no easy way to discover these events unless you were already connected to the art community.
Art Map London was founded by Jenny Judova, who has a background in art history. I joined as the co-founder and technical lead, knowing very little about the art world at the time. Jenny provided the art-world expertise and vision, while I contributed the technical skills to make it happen. This project not only connected us to the London art scene but also became the place where I really learned to love and appreciate art.
Daily Events Listing
The main events page showing detailed listings with event type, location, and time - making it easy to find openings on any given date.
Interactive Map Interface
Users could view events spatially with our map view, helping them plan gallery visits in specific areas of London.
We launched Art Map London as a website where galleries could easily submit their events, and art enthusiasts could find openings—with the added bonus of free drinks often served at these events! The initial site was built on WordPress, but I found it limiting for our needs.
With my PHP experience, I offered to rebuild the website using Laravel. The new version included proper event submission and verification, a content management system, authentication, a blog, and other improved functionality.
Editorial Content
The site featured blog articles on major art events like the Venice Biennale, offering additional content beyond just event listings.
Event Details
Detailed event pages showcased comprehensive information including descriptions, images, venue details, and public transportation options.
It was a challenging project that significantly improved my development skills, particularly in working with form submissions and backend functionality in a time before modern JavaScript frameworks were widely used. Most of the work was done in HTML, JavaScript, and PHP.
Key Features
Event Listings
Comprehensive event discovery options:
- Daily calendar view with filterable listings
- Event categorization by type (openings, talks, etc.)
- Public transport details for each venue
Map Navigation
Location-based discovery tools:
- Interactive map with event pins
- Geographic clustering of nearby events
- Satellite and street view options
Submission System
Gallery event submission features:
- User account system for galleries
- Streamlined submission forms
- Moderation and approval workflow
Editorial Content
Beyond just events:
- Blog articles covering major art happenings
- Reviews and analysis of exhibitions
- Gallery space listings for artists
Outcome & Impact
Art Map London was a significant success. At its peak, we received 5-10 event submissions daily, including events from major organizations like Apple. The site attracted nearly 100 daily visitors—a small but dedicated audience seeking to discover the London art scene.
Community Building
The platform helped us become part of London's art community:
- Connected with gallery owners and artists
- Received positive feedback from users finding new art venues
- Became a resource for newcomers to the London art scene
Technical Growth
Developing the platform advanced my skills in:
- Laravel and PHP development
- Building form submissions and validation systems
- Creating user authentication and management systems
Later in the project's lifecycle, we expanded to include a section where galleries could offer their spaces for artists to work or exhibit. While this feature wasn't as successful as the event listings, it provided another valuable learning experience in product development.
The website was retired in 2020 during the pandemic when in-person events were no longer possible, and was fully decommissioned in 2024. Though it's sad to see it go, Art Map London was a valuable project that helped us connect with the art community while allowing me to develop my technical skills.