Chelmsford’s Street Art Festival Concrete Canvas Returns

Chelmsford’s Street Art Festival, Concrete Canvas, will return this May after securing itself as a key event in the city’s cultural calendar.

Following the huge success of the projects’ inaugural year, Concrete Canvas will once again be transforming blank canvases and giving them a new lease of life with some incredible and inspiring murals.

The festival will run throughout the city centre from Saturday 20th - Saturday 27th May and is set to feature live artwork being carried out by a mix of international and local artists on a variety of building walls, bollards, OpenReach cabinets and CCTV bases. These murals will be in addition to the 2022 pieces and will build upon Chelmsford’s diverse and inspiring Street Art Trail to be enjoyed all year round.

Each artwork location will be allocated to an artist who will then create their mural based on a brief inspired around Chelmsford’s local culture, heritage, nature and various communities. So not only will the new murals brighten up areas of the city centre, but will also help communicate and strengthen Chelmsford’s identity.

Throughout the festival period the local community are encouraged to come along and experience the creation of the artwork in person. The full line-up of artists, locations and installation dates are coming very soon, so be sure to subscribe to the Chelmsford For You newsletter and keep checking the website and socials for updates - or visit the Concrete Canvas HQ inside the Meadows from early May.

The festival will conclude on Saturday 27th May with the Concrete Canvas Street Party, which marks the official launch of this year’s updated Street Art Trail. This is free entry and takes place in the Bond Street Bowl between 10am - 5pm. Alongside live and interactive art, there’ll be a record stall, art stalls, crafts, music, food and more.

BID Manager Sara Tupper says:

“Last year’s Concrete Canvas event exceeded all expectations, bringing people to Chelmsford from far and wide, and creating a sense of civic pride within our community. I’m over the moon that we are able to bring it back again this year and build upon its success. We have a wealth of creativity within our city and it is a real privilege that the BID can provide space for that to be explored and nurtured.”

Project Manager Candy Joyce said: “I’m thrilled that we are bringing Concrete Canvas back for its second year. The new sites around the city will be a great addition to the trail of 27 permanent artworks that were created last year. We are once again able to showcase the talent of over 20 local artists who will be creating artworks alongside another stellar line-up of internationally renowned artists.” www.chelmsfordforyou.co.uk Facebook & Instagram: @Chelmsfordforyou

Concrete Canvas is brought to you by the city’s Business Improvement District, Chelmsford For You, and supported by Chelmsford City Council.