Entertainment

International street artists to make a splash in Belfast

Pictured launching the 2023 Hit The North Street Art Festival is Adam Turkington, Director of Seedhead Arts, street artist Peachzz and Jamie Jamison from Hennessy
Pictured launching the 2023 Hit The North Street Art Festival is Adam Turkington, Director of Seedhead Arts, street artist Peachzz and Jamie Jamison from Hennessy

The biggest street art festival in the UK and Ireland will take place in Belfast in April.

Over 75 local and international street artists are set to make a ‘splash’ during the Hit The North festival. Organised by Seedhead Arts and supported by Hennessy, the festival is marking its 10th birthday and will see Northern Ireland play host to award-winning artists including ROA and Studio Giftig, who claimed the Best Mural of 2022 title at the recent Street Art Cities Awards. 

Running from 20th – 30th April, the 10-day celebration includes fringe events and exhibitions including walking tours and sketching sessions, before culminating in a ‘paint jam’ on Kent Street, Belfast. 

Spectators can enjoy street food by local vendors while soaking up the party atmosphere with a set by musician David Holmes as they watch murals come to life.

Adam Turkington, Director of Seedhead Arts, acknowledges this year’s festival is particularly special as it coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. 

“Our rich cultural history for mural art is part of our heritage and through Hit The North we’ve been able to bring this tradition into the 21st century,” explains Adam.  

“Over the last decade, the number of NI street artists working full-time in the sector has increased ten-fold and, through their local and global murals they are effectively ‘painting’ Northern Ireland as a leading destination for urban culture and the arts.” 

 For further information, visit Seedheadarts.com/street-art/htn23.