Stockport’s Inaugural Street Art Festival
Stockport witnessed the vibrant and dynamic world of street art at the towns first-ever Street Art Festival, the Stockport Paint Jam, took place earlier this month.
This exciting event featured over 20 top street artists from in and around the North West, providing an exhilarating day of creativity, culture and entertainment for all.
Over 20 murals were created on the day which have helped to transform one of Stockport’s forgotten streets into a huge outdoor art gallery.
Street art enthusiasts, families, and art aficionados came to witness the mesmerising talent of street artists up close and personal.
Attendees had a rare glimpse seeing renowned artists such as Hammo, Marcus Method, Lost Hills, Kelzo, Jay Sharples, Hyro, Trik09 and many more in action, bringing the walls of Stockport to life with their incredible creations.
Stockport’s first-ever Street Art Festival is the brainchild of Jay Sharples, a local street artist, and John and Sophie Macaulay of GRIT Studios. The event was a pivotal part of the GRIT Studios ‘Creative Corridor’ project, which aims to transform Stockport into a vast outdoor art gallery by connecting the studio with the town’s historic Underbanks area.
The festival was not just about art; it was a celebration of Stockport’s rich cultural heritage. It aligns with Stockport’s designation as the Town of Culture and continues the legacy of the La Boca to La Stocka community art project, fostering a sense of community and artistic expression, as John Macaulay, co-founder of GRIT Studios and Art Battle Manchester says:
“This is a new artistic chapter for the town as we bring art to the streets. Canal Street in Stockport is long overdue a splash of colour. The event was a huge success with over 1,400 people from all age groups attending and watching the street artists at work. The skate ramps from local based ‘Send It Skatepark’ went down a treat with a number kids (and adults) trying to emulate the professionals! 14 year old DJs, Dylan and Ted, from Cheadle helped to keep the party vibes on the street”
The Stockport Paint Jam has received funding from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, a testament to the importance of this event for the local community and its cultural significance.
