Artists from Belfast’s vibrant street art scene have come together to launch Ireland’s largest street art festival.
The 2022 ‘Hit the North’ Street Art Festival supported by Hennessy, is returning with a splash to its May bank holiday weekend spot following two years of more intimate festivals.
For the first time since 2019, Belfast will play home to international artists travelling to Northern Ireland to take part in a ‘paint jam’ on Kent Street on Sunday, May 1.
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An innovative new fringe programme has also been unveiled as part of the festival’s roster, giving audiences more opportunities to meet the artists behind the art and hear the stories behind their creation.
Events include an Artist Exhibition at the Vault Studios, an open night live sketching event and city walking tours, focused on food and street art.
Adam Turkington, Director of Seedhead Arts who has been organising the festival for almost a decade, says this year’s launch was particularly special as it was the first time in two years artists were able to come together to paint and celebrate the festival’s launch.
He said: "It’s been great to get so many of our leading local artists together again to help shine a spotlight on Northern Ireland’s urban culture as we unveil another jam-packed festival programme.
"Hennessy, Arts and Business and Belfast City Council in particular have provided the kind of support without which we simply wouldn’t be able to run the festival. With Festival of Fools and the Cathedral Arts Festival also gearing up with events again, it’s set to be a bumper weekend of street culture and contemporary arts.
"Most of all we’re busting to rekindle all the connections and friendships that we’ve lost in the last two years, and of course make some new ones. We can’t wait!"
Hennessy who has supported HTN since 2020 describes the festival as an important showcase of innovation and inclusion.
Sarah Harvey, Hennessy Brand Manager added: "Art has the power to motivate, inspire change and represent diversity as well as bringing joy and pride to people here in Belfast so we are incredibly proud to be a key festival supporter.
"Hennessy has a long history of partnering with and supporting artists and innovators and we can’t wait to see the spectacular array of murals this year’s artists create through a diverse range of styles and techniques."
For more information on the 2022 ‘Hit the North’ Street Art Festival visit: https://www.seedheadarts.com/street-art/htn22
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