Thousands expected at inaugural street art event

A new three-day mural and street art festival in York aims to make art accessible to everyone, according to organisers.

The festival, curated by urban arts group Art of Protest, takes place across more than 20 venues in Acomb and will feature a range of events including live mural paintings, art installations and music performances.

Art of Protest said Acombfest followed its work with the York & North Yorkshire Combined Authority and other partners, with about 20,000 people expected to attend.

The festival has a theme of "returning to nature" and runs from Friday to Sunday.

"We've spoken over the last 18 months to over 1,200 people, we've been in nine schools, and all of them said they wanted a return to nature [theme]," said Art of Protest's creative director Jeff Clark.

He said the festival will be the "largest mural and street art event" ever held in the area.

"We've made 90% of it free and available for everyone to come and enjoy," he said.

Among the highlights of the weekend will be the opportunity to see original works by influential artists Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin as part of an exhibition at St Stephen's Church.

Rev Matt Woodcock, of St Stephen's Church, said: "There's so much good going on.

"Normally people don't get close to artists like these and so we just want to make it really accessible."

The festival has been funded by the combined authority through a grant of £99,999 from the regional mayor's Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund.

The event is also supported by Great Acomb Community Forum, City of York Council, York St John University and businesses in the area.

Clark said people often believed that when street art goes into a deprived area it is seen as "gentrifying" or a "commercial opportunity".

"This is not that," he said.

"We are changing a physical space that's reacting to what the community wants.

"We are taking their voice, their opinions and have done the workshops with them.

"Now, that is being delivered by the very high-end artists who are executing some of the world's best art on the walls in Acomb."

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