Over thirty artists are set to descend on Blackpool this weekend for the return of urban art festival Sand, Sea & Spray. A highlight for locals and visitors alike the festival has a reputation for bringing some of the very best artists to town, putting Blackpool on the map as the urban art capital of the North West.
The creative team behind the festival are flying in artists from across the globe with some coming from as far afield as Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Russia. Europe is also well represented with artists from Portugal, France, Poland, Norway, and Belgium featuring in the line up. Not to be underestimated the UK contingent is also an exciting part of the bill with artists travelling from London, Bristol, Sheffield and beyond – plus homegrown talent from right here in Blackpool.
The festival activities begin on Thursday night with a warm up night at The Blue Room, Church Street, from 9pm with live music from Troubadour to get your creative juices flowing. Free entry all night.
Friday evening will see the artists Q&A take place at the Winter Gardens from 6pm compered by Sand, Sea & Spray’s Artistic Director Robin Ross. The Q&A is sure to be a fascinating evening giving the public the chance to hear about the inspiration behind artists’ work and an insight into their experiences painting on the streets. If you can’t make it to the Q&A in person media partners DigiEnable are live streaming the event online so there is no need to miss out.
For those looking for a late night start to their weekend Bootleg Social, Topping Street, will be hosting the Official Launch Party from 7.30pm with a night of hip hop and funk. Local promoters Hush Hush Media have put together a bouncing line up for the night with DJs Dan Horrors and Lee Taylor and MCs Beanz and JLG. Some of the festival artists will also be live painting inside the venue on the night so you’ll get the chance to get a sneak preview of their work. The Launch Party offers free entry before 11pm or £3 after.
Saturday and Sunday will see the live paint from 10am to 6pm take place at Cookson Street car park and Adelaide Street behind the Winter Gardens. You can get up close and personal seeing the artists in action and watch as their artwork develops over the two day event – this is an experience not to miss.
Those wanting to grab themselves their very own piece of artwork can also head to Charabanc, Coronation Street, which is acting as the official Sand, Sea & Spray shop and information point over the weekend and will be open Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 5pm.
Speaking ahead of the festival Artistic Director Robin Ross said:
“We’re so looking forward to the weekend and seeing the stellar line up of artists arrive in town. This is such a great opportunity for residents and visitors to see them in action and the calibre we’ve been able to attract really is putting Sand, Sea & Spray on the map as one of the UK’s top urban art festivals.”
Catherine Mugonyi, Director of Aunty Social CIC, said:
“We are really looking forward to the festival and we’re all very excited to see what the artists come up with to brighten up the town centre. We are so pleased to receive funding from Arts Council England and Blackpool Council and the event wouldn’t be possible without the support we’ve received from local businesses including Winter Gardens, Pizza Express, Bootleg Social, The Blue Room, Nando’s, Tattlight, HSS, Lloyd Mini Blackpool, Dragons Den Tattoos and LeftCoast.”
For more information and to keep up to date with the latest announcements go online to www.sandseaandspray.co.uk. You can also find Sand, Sea & Spray on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sandseaspray or follow on Twitter @SandSeaSpray.
