This year, we sponsored Upfest Presents, an annual street art festival in Bristol. The £5,000 sponsorship supported the event, which included workshops, talks, street art tours, panel discussions and live painting events, which brought together artists from around the country.
The free-to-attend festival featured mural painting and music from over 200 artists across several exhibition spaces – many just a short walk from our Factory No. 1 development.
Over the festival’s 17 days, street artists were invited to paint large scale murals on buildings throughout the city, allowing spectators to watch their progress. Artists also participated in panel discussions and talks about their work, and curated events took place in the venues around Bristol.
In addition to the £5,000 sponsorship, we also gifted Upfest Presents access to our hoarding for one of the resident street artists, Elaine Carr, to paint.
Shelley West, our Group Sales & Marketing Director, commented: “At City & Country, we love supporting local events and institutions that are doing great work in our communities, and Upfest is one of those events. By promoting the arts and giving these talented individuals a platform to display their work, Upfest is making life in Bristol more vibrant and colourful – both literally and figuratively! We are proud to partner with this incredible festival and are excited to show off our very own work of art at Factory No. 1.”
Stephen Hayles, founder of Upfest, added: “We were thrilled to have City & Country as partners for this year’s UPFEST PRESENTS. They’re huge champions of the city’s imagination and individuality. Bedminster is a stand out hub of creativity in Bristol, and City & Country has provided us with wall space to allow artists to unleash their talents on. Elaine Carr’s mural on Factory No.1 is a striking addition to the culturally rich area of Bedminster and brings a dynamic element to the site. It’s been a pleasure to work with City & Country and we can’t wait for you all to see the completed murals.”
A former Grade II listed tobacco factory, Factory No. 1 features one and two-bedroom apartments and three-bedroom penthouses in the heart of Bristol. Featuring light-filled interiors and high-quality specification throughout, the homes combine the character and charm of the original factory with modern, luxury designs.
The development offers easy access to all that Bristol has to offer, just a short walk from the shops and restaurants on North Street. It is also close to transport hubs, including Bristol Temple Meads Station, which provides regular services to London and Cardiff.