Look Out for the First ‘Look Up’ Street Art Festival, Portsmouth 2023

Look out for Look Up Festival- Portsmouth witnesses art in the making as the city prepares for the Look Up Street Art Festival on the 9th and 10th of September 2023.

Eagle-eyed Portsmouth residents and visitors can spot live creation of spectacular large-scale artworks this week as the city prepares for its first-ever Look Up Street Art Festival, which runs throughout next weekend – the 9th and 10th of September.

In the coming days, almost 100 local and international street artists will be welcomed to the city, each given a dedicated location to transform spaces spread across the city.

Visiting stars from the world of Street Art will include The London Police, Hera, Phlegm, Kashink, Hayley Welsh, Cbloxx, My Dog Sighs and Inkie. At the same time, organisers have also been keen to provide platforms for emerging home-grown artists, underlining the Festival’s philosophy that art is for all.

Locals have already embraced the event, with residents and businesses offering up walls donating equipment such as access platforms and even transportation for gallons of paint.

During the two-day, free-to-attend event next weekend (9th and 10th September), visitors from further afield are expected to join thousands of residents as they explore the city to discover artworks and watch them take shape. A map showing all artwork locations is available to view and download at www.lookup-portsmouth.co.uk

Check out the Google map of location sites here.

In addition, there will be free hands-on workshops running on each of the two days at Pitt Street Skatepark, 315 Commercial Road, Portsmouth PO1 4BS – see the following time details and note that all workshop sessions must be booked in advance via www.lookup-portsmouth.co.uk. However, a Creative Corner and Pavement Chalking area will be open to all from 10 am to 5 pm without needing to book in advance.

· Spray paint workshops – 1-hour sessions for 10 to 18-year-olds at 10 am, 12:30 pm and 3 pm

· Doodle Workshops – 1-hour sessions for 8 to 18-year-olds at 10 am, 12 noon and 2 pm and 3:30 pm

As the brainchild of Portsmouth’s renowned street artist ‘My Dog Sighs’, the Look Up Festival aims to enliven, enrich and involve communities through Street Art. This global art phenomenon has exploded in popularity due to its accessibility and ability to provide a social voice and fun through visual spectacle.

Supported by the Arts Council, the local cultural and social enterprise Portsmouth Creates, and Portsmouth City Council, the Festival will also feature Local Artist Arena, where artists from the city can network, and some will be expanding their practice into Street Art for the first time. A dedicated Female Development Area aims to break down the barriers many female street artists face and provide a safe space for creation and development. Visitors will meet a famous street artist or two – on hand to offer their unique perspective on and experience within the Street Art world.

“Having spent the last 10 years painting at Street Art festivals around the world, I wanted to bring some of that excitement to my own city and create a festival that will entertain, inspire and rival some of the best Street Art destinations in the world. I’ve persuaded some of the world’s leading artists to come and create awe-inspiring works that will showcase the city as the creative hub it is and create a destination for art fans. We already have an incredible creative community in Portsmouth and the festival plans to give local artists the opportunity to work alongside and learn from established and leading contemporaries in the Street Art field.”

My Dog Sighs

Some artists have already started to paint before the festival to accommodate bigger walls and fit in with artist schedules. My Dog Sighs will finish his wall on the ASTORIA, Guildhall walk, so he has more time to be on the ground over the festival.

For more details on the Festival, visit the website: www.lookup-portsmouth.co.uk and search Look Up Portsmouth on Instagram and Facebook for regular updates.

Photo Credit graffitistreet

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