Celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, Upfest, Europe’s largest free, live street and urban art festival, needs your help to reach its £30,000 fundraising target by the 10th April to make this year’s festival happen.
With over 400 artists from 50 countries in attendance, the event is set to return to south Bristol’s streets on 28th and 29th May with its biggest ever line-up of local, national and international artists. In the run-up to the main event, street painting will be taking place between the 5th and 25th May, with lead artists including Aches, JDL, Kashink, L7m, Rosie Woods, Sabek, Sophie Mess and Bristol greats HazardOne and FLX. UK-based artist Squirl, has been announced as the 2022 Festival Artist, bringing his unique and varied style that bridges the gap between illustration, fine art, installation and street art.
“Squirl has been a long-standing collaborator with Upfest and we’ve been following his work and progression for years,” said Stephen Hayles, the Festival founder. “He has donated some amazing rewards to our crowdfunding including a limited-edition print and t-shirt.”
The crowdfunding programme, set up at fundsurfer.com/upfest, enables the Upfest team and volunteers to put on this free festival year after year. The money goes towards paying for vital infrastructure needed to manage tens of thousands of visitors, as well as provision materials to the festival’s artists who all financially support themselves with travel and accommodation for the festival.
By supporting this year’s crowdfunding appeal, street art fans can get their hands on the fourth edition of the official Upfest book for £30. An optional limited edition framed copy includes a surprise back cover featuring an exclusive piece of original artwork from some of your favourite street artists featured in the book. In additional to the festival book, confronters to the crowdfunding can also get their hands on an eclectic mix of fabulous rewards from having their own mural creative by Farrah to a Stencil Workshop with Diff.