If you were gutted to hear the news that Upfest would be taking a break this year then you're in luck. Organisers are returning to Weston-super-Mare this summer for the return of Weston Wallz, taking over the seaside town with colourful murals.
Visitors and residents can already check out incredible pieces from world class street artists including Insane51, Curtis Hylton, Sian Storey, TeaOne, Vee, Damien Jefferies, David Puck, Aspire, Caryn Koh, Emily Joy Rich, Sophie Long, Acerone, Bev G Star, Bex Glover, and Paul Monsters, who each made their mark with their signature styles.
In December, Upfest announced it would be unable to host its annual street art festival in south Bristol for 2023 due to "increasing costs related to the events industry", stating it "simply won't be able to raise the necessary funds to put on the event that we know you all love and deserve". Fortunately, the organisers will be going ahead with its Weston Wallz event from May 24 to June 4, 2023 in partnership with Weston-super-Mare Town Council, Culture Weston and supported by Arts Council England.
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Upfest co-founder, Stephen Hayles, said: “It’s great to be coming back to Weston-super-Mare. The amount of support we get here is amazing and big thanks to the town council and Culture Weston for inviting us back again and investing into this initiative and our artists.
"We are excited to continue on the street art trail so if anyone has a building or property that would be good to add to the project then get in touch.”
Weston Wallz first launched in 2021 and the third instalment in Weston-super-Mare will be no different. Artists and locations will be announced in the coming months leading up to the project and street art fans are invited to come down and follow the process.
Malcolm Nicholson Town Clerk - ‘The Town Council is extremely proud to have initiated this project now in its 3rd Year to enhance Weston super Mare. The works to date have been greatly received by both residents and visitors to the town. Heritage, Arts an Culture is an important part of the Town Councils Strategy and we look forward to once again working with Steve and the team at Upfest in 2023 alongside our other community partners at Culture Weston who help support this fantastic project’.
The Upfest team are currently looking for owners of prominent buildings in and around the town centre that could be considered for the new collection of murals to get in touch. As a funded project there would be no costs to building owners who are selected - contact Emma@upfest.co.uk to register your interest.
An interactive Google Map is available to easily identify the murals and witness the transformation of ordinary walls to town landmarks. To keep up to date with artist announcements and location reveals, you can follow Weston Wallz on Twitter and Instagram or visit the Upfest website for more information. Further details will be available at www.cultureweston.org.uk and https://wsm-tc.gov.uk.
Upfest Weston Wallz takes place from May 24 to June 4, 2023
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