Festival brings street art to coastal city

In a lively seaside city, a vibrant festival took place to celebrate street art, attracting over 200 artists from around the globe. This exciting event, known as City Jam, transformed more than 100 walls and cubes throughout Southend-on-Sea into stunning displays of creativity. The festival ran from Friday to Sunday, allowing visitors to explore the city while following a map to discover the various artworks. One notable piece was a captivating painting on Southend Pier, featuring eerie figures, a spaceship, and a man camping beside a fire in a tent. Matt Dent, a member of the city council responsible for culture, tourism, and business, expressed his delight, stating, 'It has really brightened up Southend-on-Sea city centre. It was a brilliant success, bigger and better than ever. ' Artists from different countries participated in the festival, showcasing their unique styles and talents. Some artists worked on temporary wooden walls set up in the streets, with one artist using black spray paint to create his masterpiece. Another artist painted a mural of an octopus on the side of a building, skillfully using a stepladder to reach the higher areas. The festival received an impressive 800 applications from artists worldwide, eager to be part of this artistic celebration. This year's headliners included several renowned artists. SMUG, an Australian artist residing in Scotland, is famous for his photo-realistic murals that capture the imagination. WOSKERSKI, a familiar face at the festival, is known for his vibrant illustrations filled with irony and absurd characters that convey meaningful messages. FARID, hailing from Morelos, Mexico, creates murals that reflect his deep pride in Mexican culture and his passion for engaging with the public through street art. ACHES, based in Dublin, specializes in large-scale murals that blend his graphic design skills with graffiti techniques. Mr. Dent further emphasized the success of City Jam 2024, stating, 'The event brought together renowned artists, residents, businesses, and visitors for another fantastic and well-attended event that helps put our city on the map.