Urban arts event hits the streets of Brighton

Renowned artists including: Hutch, SNUB23, Ink Fetish, Remi/Rough, Req, Don, Foundry, Mishfit and many more.

Their creations on sites in Regent Street, Trafalgar Lane, Jew Street and Church Street, incorporated walls - some as high as 60ft tall – as part of a collaboration between local creative urban art agency, Wet Paint Productions and Brighton and Hove City Council in a bid to clean and brighten up some ‘tagging’ hotspots in the North Laine area as well as showcase the talent of the artists in the creative heart of the city centre.

The two day Festival Fringe event, now in its second year, generated a lot of interest and attention as people watched street dance performances from local dance troupe T21 and the live painting of a 24ft ‘paint box’ in Jubilee Square, which was built as part of in-kind sponsorship by local building contractors Cheesmur. Many also visited the pop up art gallery and shop in Myhotel.

Guy Harris, Founder, Wet Paint Productions said:
“We have received so much positive feedback, it’s been a fantastic weekend. The artists did an amazing job and we feel privileged and proud to have been able to create this permanent public art in the heart of the city. Working with the Council in this way and the other organisations that have supported us, demonstrates what is possible when working in collaboration. We look forward to more of the same in the future. “

Brighton Graffiti Officer, Sarah Leach was delighted with the artwork on the assigned walls and by Monday morning had already received encouraging reactions from local residents. One email stated: “THANKYOU THANKYOU THANKYOU for working with the graffiti artists during the fringe festival to paint the walls on Regent Street this weekend. The artwork is FANTASTIC. I live in Boulevard House right opposite all the art and it looks amazing. The walls were awful before and we pay high rent here so this just looks so unique and fantastic. Yet another reason why you are such an amazing council Thanks so much.”

The Beautiful and the Canned 2010 was also raising awareness and funds for the national homeless and housing charity Shelter, and specially designed tee-shirts by some of the artists are still currently on sale in the Brighton Shelter shop.

To find out more go and view photos of the amazing artwork go to: http://www.wetpaintproductions.co.uk