Upfest returns with workshops, tours and music

Europe’s largest street art festival returns to south Bristol this weekend with a 17-day “cultural programme” of workshops, live painting and street art tours planned. Upfest Presents is taking place from 17 May to 2 June with artists from around the world invited to decorate the walls and buildings of BS3. The pop-up event is replacing the weekend festival in the park which was scaled back last year due to funding issues. It includes more than 200 large-scale murals, free workshops, arts activities, panel discussions, live music, comedy and tours exploring the city.Upfest Presents has been running a crowdfunder to raise £10,000 to support the artists and activities at this year’s festival. The event is ticketed but free to attend, with about half of its funding coming from Arts Council England. More than 100 artists are taking part this year, including Artez from Serbia and Audrey Kawasaki from Los Angeles. Trans artist and activist Mister Samo will be headlining the event. Joining them are Bristolian Inkie, EPOD, A L Grimes, Aspire, Liam Bononi, Jagung, George Webster and HazardOne, who was named one of the top five British female artists by The Guardian. Bristol artist Jody, who painted a huge mural of Greta Thunberg on the side of the Tobacco Factory in 2019, is also showcasing his work. Festival co-founder Stephen Hayles said: "There will be tonnes for artists, art lovers and families to get involved in, while you can pop down and see murals being created throughout the whole period. "Huge thanks to Arts Council England for giving us the opportunity to create the event this year and we're looking forward to supporting local artists as well as welcoming artists from all over the world to Bristol."