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Weston-super-Mare is to be turned into a giant canvas with the return of its street art festival. Weston Wallz – from the team behind Europe’s biggest street art festival Upfest – will be returning to the resort later this month.
After the successful launch in September 2021, Upfest has once again partnered with Weston-super-Mare Town Council and Culture Weston, with the latest murals set to be painted from July 23-31.
Armed with sunscreen, spray paint and brushes, the artists for the second edition of the initiative have officially been confirmed – with some of Europe’s finest heading down to the seaside to unleash creativity on Weston’s most iconic buildings and landmarks.
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This year, visitors and residents alike can see the talents of Insane51 travelling over from Athens alongside UK and local artists, Aspire, Caryn Koh, Curtis Hylton, Sian Storey, TeaOne, Vee, Acerone, Bev G Star, Bex Glover, Damien Jefferies, David Puck, Emily Joy Rich, Sophie Long and Paul Monsters making their mark on the North Somerset coastal town with their unique and signature styles.
The brand new murals will join the current artworks on Weston’s street art trail. Locations featuring in this year’s festival include RNLI Gift Shop Marine Lake, the old Oxford Corner Cafe, Olea and Old Post Office Lane.
Weston Town Council clerk Malcolm Nicholson said: “Weston is the perfect place to showcase such diverse, eclectic and thought-provoking artworks. With such a great response to Weston Wallz last year and the continuous investment into the town, it’s a fantastic opportunity to grow Weston’s cultural identity and attract new visitors.”
Upfest in Bristol launched in 2008. In its first year, around 40 artists took part, but this has grown over the years and now more than 400 artists flock to the city to paint. It is hoped Weston Wallz will further grow the town’s cultural identity and boost local business.
Culture Weston programme manager Tom Newman said “We’re excited to be supporting Upfest in bringing the second edition of Weston Wallz to the town and for a new, eclectic range of artwork to be unveiled that will transform more of Weston’s walls and hidden corners. It is brilliant to showcase so many great artists, and for residents and visitors to be able to enjoy the art throughout the summer and beyond.
“And with the arrival of SEE MONSTER, Weston is buzzing with loads of fantastic community events” Upfest co-founder, Steve Hayles, said: “It feels great to be back in Weston-super-Mare after the success of the 2021 launch.
“Street art is a great way to engage the community and we’ve chosen a brilliant bunch of street artists to add to an already bustling art scene here in Weston. We’ve had a giant rooster, a geisha and lots of colour, we can’t wait to see what the next round of artists bring to the seafront.”
READ MORE: How Bansky, Upfest and Luke Jerram have turned Weston-super-Mare into UK’s newest cultural hub
The initiative has been funded by a grant from Weston Town Council and Culture Weston. An interactive Google Map will be launched on July 22 for trail hunters to easily identify the murals and witness the transformation of ordinary corners becoming landmarks in the town.
To keep up to date with Weston Wallz, you can follow the initiative on Twitter and Instagram or visit the Upfest website for more information.
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