Waterford Walls, the international street art festival based in Waterford, Ireland, is set to color the city and surrounding areas once again this August. Organized by The Walls Project, the festival will run from August 11th to August 20th, showcasing the works of 25 national and international artists.
Revitalizing Derelict Spaces
The festival’s aim is to revitalize derelict spaces and transform the city’s landscape with large-scale murals. The festival will include ten days of live art, music, film, workshops, guided tours, and other activities.
The festival has gained a reputation for bringing an explosion of color to the city’s many derelict buildings, and this year’s event promises to be bigger and better. In 2022, the festival brought artists to transform the landscape of Cheekpoint and An Rinn, a project supported by Creative Ireland and Waterford City and County Council. This year, the aim is to bring the festival’s legacy wider into the county and to new locations.
Renowned Irish and international artists, including some local artists, will color vacant spaces by painting large-scale murals on twenty-five locations around the county. The Waterford Walls team received a record-breaking quantity of artist applications.
Submitting Walls for Review
To submit a wall for review, wall owners are required to complete a form titled ‘I Have a Wall’ on the Walls Project website. The qualifying walls include public-facing boundary walls, gable ends, and large building facades. Two or three-story houses and offices with little to no windows are most desirable. Each site will be inspected and measured by the team in the next month. The wall owner will be guided through the process and will see the artist’s final sketch for approval.
Sponsoring a Wall
Businesses can also sponsor a wall with different price packages available. This sponsorship allows the individual to become the proud owner of a street art mural by a top international artist. All contributions will help to cover the costs, including artist fees, paint, equipment, crew, travel, accommodation, and insurance.
The festival is supported and funded by Waterford County Council and The Arts Council of Ireland. A central hub located at the Forum in the Glen will return to the festival lineup catering for all ages. Individuals and families can enter a world of activities, including live art, workshops, walking tours, and music.
Waterford Walls is an excellent opportunity to showcase the city and surrounding areas while revitalizing derelict spaces. The festival promises to be a vibrant and exciting event that the community can enjoy.
