ONE of Europe's biggest events dedicated to graffiti and urban arts is returning to Glasgow next month.
Now in its fifth year, Yardworks Festival is a leading showcase of contemporary urban art and this year will feature the work of more than 100 artists including some of the biggest names in street art and graffiti such as Jay Kaes, EPOD, Morf and Aches.
The festival will run from May 5 to May 7 and will once again transform the outdoor space of multi-disciplinary arts venue SWG3 into a vibrant canvas.
Murals will be created in real-time for audiences to enjoy as part of an open-air art gallery, while street food, drinks, art workshops and activities will also be on offer throughout the weekend.
Rogue One, Tef, Vues, Panda, Rachel Miller, Chelsea Frew, James Klinge, Ross MacRae, Conzo & Glöbel, Box Vincent, and Taio have been added to the extensive list of local and global artists appearing at this year’s event.
“For artists and art lovers alike, it’s a chance to learn from the best, meet their heroes, and get inspired by what people are doing on the international scene,” said a spokesperson. “Seeing a mural come together in real time is a truly thrilling experience and one that is sure to delight children and adults alike.”
Free activities include skateboarding workshops with Clan Skates, screen printing workshops and children’s hip-hop and dance workshops. In addition, children can make their own interactive graffiti cube during Mia McGregor’s participatory art project.
There will also be an interactive sewing workshop as part of a new Yardworks collaboration with SWG3 Eastvale Place residents Trakke.
Ticketed events include an in-depth masterclass on the art of sign writing with Erin Bradley-Scott and Paint Your Name graffiti workshops. Kids and adults can also practise their dance moves with Mini Manoeuvres’ DJs who will be providing an uplifting soundtrack on SWG3’s new outdoor terrace.
The Galvanizers Yard will be open for two weeks after the festival for people to take a look at the final results in the open-air art gallery.
For those who can’t make the festival, there will still be some incredible art to experience including festival-painted boards on the University of Glasgow campus where it meets Byres Road, across the 27 SWG3 railway arches facing onto the Expressway, at Partick Bus Station and in SWG3’s own Yard Life and Acid Bar galleries until the end of July.
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