Designs take shape on day one of street art festival

An artist painting a mural on a wall which says 'use your loaf'
A colourful canvas with the words
Notable Bristolian graffiti artist Inkie has created a fresh mural at Parson's Bakery in Bedminster
The artists are using various mediums including spray paint and paint pens

It is the first day of what organisers claim is Europe's biggest graffiti and street art festival.

Upfest Presents is taking place in Bristol from 17 May to 2 June and welcoming more than 100 artists from around the world.

This year, rather than it being a weekend festival in one main location, it is taking over Bedminster for a 17-day cultural programme packed with free workshops, live painting and talks.

On Saturday, more than 40 artists came together to paint at the Tobacco Factory.

Stephen Hayles, co-founder of Upfest, said they were doing things differently in 2024 due to funding.

"The big party in the park costs us lots of money so we've had to find a way of adapting in these times," said Mr Hayles.

The festival is receiving support from the Arts Council, which is enabling them to run more than 100 workshops with more than 1,500 places for people to join in with arts and crafts such as silversmithing and printing.

Popular graffiti artist Inkie said Bristol was the "hub of creativity in the West of England".

An artist painting on a black and grey canvas
Abstract pieces resonate differently with each individual, the artists said
People gathered outside with canvases and art materials
More than 40 artists gathered at the Tobacco Factory to create their designs
Two men watching an artist painting
Visitors watched as the artists made their canvases come to life
Artists and canvases outside the Tobacco Factory
Each large canvas offers an insight into the artist's personal style
An artist crouching down in front of a painting with orange pink and yellow tones
Georgie Webb has been an artist at Upfest since 2021
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