Upfest
| Upfest | |
|---|---|
| Status | Active |
| Genre | Street art, graffiti |
| Frequency | Annual (biennial since 2023)[1] |
| Location(s) | Bedminster and Southville, Bristol, England |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Founders | Stephen Hayles and local artists |
| Attendance | c. 50,000 (pre-2020 estimates)[2] |
| Area | c. 30,000 ft² painted surfaces (2015)[2] |
| Budget | ≈£250,000 (2024)[1] |
| Organised by | Upfest |
| Website | www |
Upfest is a street-art and graffiti festival held in the Bedminster and Southville districts of Bristol, England. Since its founding in 2008 by Stephen Hayles, it has grown from a one-day event by twenty artists to what is described as Europe’s largest street-art festival.[2]
Upfest also curates a spin-off event called Weston Wallz in nearby Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, commissioning large-scale murals in the town since 2021.[3]
History
[edit]The festival was founded by printer and gallery owner Stephen Hayles as a not-for-profit venture to raise funds for the children’s charity NACOA. By 2011 Upfest had attracted more than 250 artists and donated £15,000 to the charity.[4]
A peak was reached in 2015, when 250 artists from 25 countries painted 30,000 ft² of wall space over three days.[2] The festival traditionally centred on North Street and the nearby Tobacco Factory; larger editions extended into Greville Smyth Park.
The 2021 edition was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and was replaced by the "75 Walls in 75 Days" project.[5] The Weston Wallz event was also established at this point, later becoming a permanent event.[6] In 2024 "Upfest Presents" hosted more than 100 international and UK artists over seventeen days;[7] roughly half of the £250,000 budget was provided by Arts Council England, the remainder through sponsorships and crowdfunding.[1]
Format and programming
[edit]Upfest ordinarily combines live mural painting with music, exhibitions, panel discussions and street-art tours. Programming is curated but non-juried, and participation remains free for artists. Since 2023 the main gathering has alternated with "Upfest Presents", a two-week distributed programme across multiple Bedminster venues, introduced to curb rising infrastructure costs while retaining free public access.[1][8]
Weston Wallz
[edit]Since 2021,[6] Upfest has curated Weston Wallz. Originally launched as a modest mural trail, the event has grown into a major event in the town,[9] delivering more than 75 permanent murals to date.[10] The festival spans a week each July, featuring live mural painting by international artists.[11][12] Locations have included seafront landmarks and historic town-centre buildings such as the RNLI Gift Shop, Oxford Corner Café, and Old Post Office Lane.[12]
Alongside the painting programme, the festival includes the "S.M.Art Sprayjam" and workshops at the Italian Gardens, promoting engagement among young people and families.[10][9] Co-creation initiatives with local youth are also supported by partner organisation Super Culture.[10] The project is jointly backed by Weston-super-Mare Town Council, Arts Council England, and local sponsors.
Impact and reception
[edit]Commentators highlight Upfest’s role in establishing Bristol as ‘‘the home of British graffiti’’[4] and in supporting emerging street artists alongside figures such as Inkie, Jody Thomas and Thierry Noir.[2][7] Local authorities credit the festival with contributing to cultural tourism and urban regeneration in BS3. Stephen Hayles received a letter from Prime Minister Theresa May in 2017 in recognition of his work as part of Upfest and its charitable contributions.[13]
See also
[edit]- See No Evil, another street-art festival held in Bristol, Europe's largest when it was held in 2011, and partly organised by Upfest staff.
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Perera, Milan (17 May 2024). "Upfest returning to south Bristol". Bristol24/7. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ a b c d e Devine, Matt (27 July 2015). "Upfest 2015: Europe's largest street art and graffiti festival – in pictures". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ "Weston Wallz to make a splash as world-class artists create spectacular sea-nic views". Weston-super-Mare Town Council. 26 August 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ a b "Celebrate home of graffiti". Bristol Evening Post. 2 June 2011. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ "Bristol street festival Upfest postponed until 2022 because of Covid". ITV News. 5 July 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ a b "Weston Wallz is Back!". Super Culture. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
- ^ a b "Upfest street art series announces 2024 line-up". BBC News. 11 April 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ Dhame, Sofia (2024-04-10). "Upfest 2024: full lineup announced". Bristol24/7. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
- ^ a b Hughes, Lorna (26 May 2025). "Weston-super-Mare street art festival returns with 75 colourful murals taking over town centre". Bristol Post. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ a b c Roberts, Jack (23 May 2025). "Popular street art event Weston Wallz to return in July". Weston Mercury. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ Anderson, Sarski (22 July 2022). "Weston Wallz street art festival returns". Bristol24/7. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ a b "Street art spreads across town as Weston Wallz returns". BBC News. 25 July 2022. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ Pipe, Ellie (2017-08-24). "Prime minister awards Upfest founder". Bristol24/7. Retrieved 2025-05-28.