With just a month to go until this year's Yardworks Festival at SWG3 in the west end, there is plenty to look forward to at this celebration of modern art.
As one of Europe’s biggest and best events dedicated to graffiti and urban arts, the festival is an unmissable display of colour and creativity which the organisers say offers an "inspiring and fun-filled experience for people of all ages".
Returning to the "cool and contemporary concrete playground" at SWG3, the top multi-disciplinary arts venue, Yardworks Festival 2023 will run from May 5 until 7 and will once again transform its inviting outdoor space in the west end of Glasgow into a vibrant living canvas.
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In addition to world-class art, there will also be music, activities, workshops, and delicious food and drink - check out the essential guide to what to see and do at the Festival.
What is the Yardworks Festival?
Now in its fifth year, Yardworks Festival is a leading showcase of contemporary urban art, and this year will feature the work of more than 100 artists while attracting thousands of attendees across three days of colour and creativity.
Some of the biggest names in street art and graffiti will feature at the event, Jay Kaes, .EPOD, Morf and Aches. Murals will be created in real-time for audiences to enjoy as part of an open-air art gallery, while an exciting array of street food, drinks, art workshops and activities will also be on offer throughout the weekend.
The Art
Rogue One, Tef, Vues, Panda, Rachel Miller, Chelsea Frew, James Klinge, Ross MacRae, Conzo & Glöbel, Box Vincent, and Taio have been added to the extensive list of local and global artists appearing at this year’s event.
For artists and art lovers alike, it’s a chance to learn from the best, meet their heroes, and get inspired by what people are doing on the international scene.
The organisers said: "Seeing a mural come together in real-time is a truly thrilling experience and one that is sure to delight children and adults alike."
The ‘Yardworks 23’ Exhibition in the Yardlife Gallery will open on Saturday 6th May at 11 am. For those who would like to support the artists and take a piece of art home with them, there will be the opportunity to buy artwork and prints, including exclusive Yardworks t-shirts and prints designed by Dave Aches.
Food and Drink
Offering a treat for the taste buds as well as the eyes with a fantastic array of street food from top Scottish vendors, including Nomad (wood-fired pizzas and healthy salads), Rafa’s (margaritas and tacos from the Patrón truck) and Yella (filled subs and loaded fries), as well as the ever-popular ice cream van.
SWG3’s bars will be open late on Saturday and Sunday, with the Warehouse Terrace an ideal spot to sit and take in the action, with a spacious outdoor seating area in the venue’s beautiful new garden area.
Activities and Workshops
Free:
- Take in the skateboarding action with Clan Skates, who will be providing a ramp inside the Galvanizers, sponsored by Red Bull, and have a go at skating with their fun workshops
- Try your hand at screen printing with workshops inside the Galvanizers and YW Studio
- Children can make their own interactive graffiti cube as part of Mia McGregor’s popular participatory art project
- Take part in an interactive sewing workshop as part of a new Yardworks collaboration with SWG3 Eastvale Place residents Trakke.
- Little ones can get moving with children’s hip-hop and dance workshops
Ticketed:
- Described as Glasgow’s "original and best club night" for kids and parents, Mini Manoeuvres will run from 1 pm - 4 pm both days across the Warehouse and SWG3’s new outdoor terrace with great DJs providing an uplifting soundtrack. Tickets are priced at £6.00 (+ booking fee), and are on sale now from the website.
- Get immersed in the art of sign-writing with an in-depth masterclass in the Yardworks Studio with Erin Bradley-Scott, on Sunday 7th May. Ticket info + pricing released Friday 14th April.
- ‘Paint your Name’ Graffiti Workshops, from 1 pm - 3 pm on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are £5.00, on sale Friday 14th April.
Top tips from the team:
Arrive early - one of the most satisfying parts of the festival is seeing murals being built up from a stretch of freshly painted black to a highly skilled final result, watching the layers and details come together.
For those who can’t make the festival, there will still be some incredible art to experience. Take a wander across the west end and see festival-painted boards appearing on the University of Glasgow campus (the corner where it meets Byres Road), across the 27 SWG3 railway arches facing onto the Expressway, at Partick Bus Station, and in SWG3’s own Yard Life and Acid Bar galleries until the end of July.
The Galvanizers Yard will also be open for two weeks after the festival for people to take a look at the final results in the open-air art gallery - Monday to Friday, 10 am-6 pm.
How to get tickets
Priced at £6 per day and £0 for the full weekend (under 16s go free), tickets can be bought from the Ticketmaster website.
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