Street artists return to Cheltenham for popular festival

Cheltenham Paint Festival will return this year on 5 and 6 September offering the public a chance to see spectacular new street art.

Running from 9am to 5.30pm over the two days the annual event will see around 80 artists working at a number of locations across the town.  Headliners this year include Jody, Snik, Lucas Antics, Dotmasters, Trust Icon, Dank, Inkie and many more.

The festival offers opportunities for the public to see street art being created by talented artists. People will be able to see the whole artistic process happen in front of them, from the first brushstroke to the finished piece.

The event will also use a number of previous and popular street art sites including North Place Car Park, the Honeybourne Line’s two tunnels and four bridges amongst others.

This year also sees a competition to win a fantastic art pack of original art, stickers, books and Posca Pens. Inspired by Geocaching, director of Cheltenham Paint Festival Andy Dice Davies has hidden ten camera film cases around the artworks with the names of artists he’d love to see at the festival in each. To win you have to find the ten cases, add your name to the sheet inside and, when you have all ten, send a message to the Cheltenham Paint Festival Facebook page stating the names. The first ten will win prizes with the top three getting extras and the first to message getting the grand prize! Clues will be put out on Saturday 5 September.

Andy Dice Davies said of the festival: “We’re delighted to be able to run this year’s festival which has been possible through funding from Cheltenham Borough Council, Cheltenham Borough Homes and The WCD Group. With an incredible line up of artists and a host of different locations across the town, we’re certain the festival is going to be a great one.”

“This year, in particular, is really important for the artists as many have found much of their work cancelled over the last few months. Cheltenham Paint Festival not only offers the public an amazing opportunity to watch these fantastic pieces of street art being created but also supports the artists involved. We can’t wait to welcome the artists and public back to this brilliant event.”

Alex Lucas of Lucas Antics said: “I'm excited to be painting at this year's Cheltenham Paint Festival! It's been a few years in the making so really looking forward to splashing some paint on the walls alongside all the other super talented artists!  I hope the new murals will create lots of excitement and inspiration, especially during these challenging times.”

Due to current regulations the festival map will be available online only and social distancing rules will be followed.

The street art remains available to visitors for a year with many people taking the opportunity to tour the sites whilst in Cheltenham.