Following the huge success of the inaugural Stockport Paint Jam last year, this free vibrant street art festival returns on Sunday 22nd September 2024 ~ and on a much larger scale!
This year, over 50 of the UK’s top street artists ~ including Akse P19, Qubek, Hammo, Liam Bonini, Minto, Caroline Daly and Kelzo ~ will gather to bring even more colour and creativity to Stockport.
Stockport Paint Jam is the result of a collaboration between GRIT Studios founders John and Sophie Macaulay and renowned street artist Jay Sharples. The event is part of the GRIT Studios’ creative corridor project, which aims to transform Stockport into a vast outdoor art gallery, linking the studio with the town and its historic Underbanks area.
More than just an art event, Stockport Paint Jam is a celebration of the town’s rich cultural heritage and carries forward the legacy of the La Boca to La Stocka community art project, cultivating a deep sense of community and artistic expression.
“This project is about knitting together, building on, and extending the Creative Quarter linking Canal Street to Hopes Carr,” says John Macaulay, co-founder of GRIT Studios and Art Battle Manchester. “Last year, 1,400 people attended with only six days’ notice, which was fantastic. We’re aiming to make this year’s Paint Jam bigger, better, and more vibrant, creating a well-defined cultural corridor that bursts with world-class street art.”
The 2024 Stockport Paint Jam will feature a 1km walking tour from Merseyway to GRIT Studios on Canal Street, with street artists lining the route. Attendees will not only have the chance to witness the country’s top street artists at work but can also enjoy family-friendly activities such as kids’ art workshops, breakdancing, skateboarding, and plenty of food and drink. Plus, DJs Clint Boon and Nihal will be providing the music.
Event Highlights:
- Merseyway: Street artists, kids’ art activities, breakdancing, and surprises.
- Little Underbank: Street artists, DJs, food and drink, workshops.
- Hopes Carr: Street artists, DJs, dancing, and more.
- Canal Street: Festival site with over 20 street artists, DJs, and independent food and drinks.
GRIT Studios has made community engagement a central feature of its mission since opening in Stockport’s Canal Street in 2022. This year’s Paint Jam will continue this tradition with inclusive street art workshops and regular free street art walking tours. Inspired Stockport residents will have the opportunity to learn how to stencil with spray paints and channel their inner Banksy.
The Stockport Paint Jam is set to be a highlight of the town’s cultural calendar, with participation from local businesses, including Bohemian Arts Club, SK1 Records, Where the Light Gets In and more.
Sign up for your free ticket here: https://www.peoplewithgrit.org/stockportpaintjam Tickets are not required for entry but will help the organisers better manage the event and keep attendees informed of the schedule and any potential changes due to poor weather.
Stockport Paint Jam also seeks volunteers to help out on the day in return for a free T-shirt.
The Stockport Paint Jam has been part funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and is sponsored by Totally Stockport.
Photographs credited to Richard Meftah.
