BELFAST street artists will bring colour to the city centre with Hit the North festival on Sunday September 20.
The annual street art showcase was established by Seedhead Arts and the Community Arts Partnership in 2013. Since then, Hit the North has grown to become one of the biggest street art festivals in Ireland.
Initially scheduled to take place in May 2020, the coronavirus pandemic has resulted in a scaled-back version of the festival coming to Belfast's streets next month, turning local buildings into canvasses to showcase the work of local artists.
Commenting on the plans for this year's event, organiser, Adam Turkington said: "We had big plans for this year's Hit the North, particularly with the support of our new sponsorship partnership with Hennessy. It was disappointing to have to put the breaks on so close to the event, but we've regrouped and are looking forward to bringing some of the best local talent together to bring some much-needed colour and vibrancy to Belfast's streets this September.
"On Sunday September 20, the streets around the Sunflower Bar will be filled with the best artists in Ireland doing their thing. It'll be a slightly scaled back one-day affair, with all of the necessary social distancing measures in place.
"Art has played an important role in some of the most difficult points in our history and we need art and creative expression more than ever before. We're grateful for the continued support of [festival sponsors] Hennessy and we hope to bring the event back to full scale by May 2021."
Artists involved in Hit the North 2020 will include Subset, Aches, Shane O'Driscol, ADW, KVLR, Friz, JMK, Emic, Verz, FGB, Rob Hilken, Leo Boyd, Danni Simpson, Hollie Pereira, Signs of Power, Danleo and Omin.
:: For further information, visit Seedheadarts.com/hitthenorth20