Rise Up Residency, responsible for almost 20 large scale murals painted across Margate in 2022, has partnered up with Margate Soul Festival to create new art at the Lido in Cliftonville.
New Margate CIC, headed up by Eli Thompson of Olby’s, has organised the 22nd annual soul festival which will take place on August 2-4 at 19 indoor and outdoor stages, including a new Sunset Stage next to the beach, behind the Lido.
Rise Up Residency (RUR) has invited artist Breeze Yoko from South Africa to install a large-scale mural to celebrate the festival.
The Lido has been a space for local graffiti writers to work on their skills over the years, but this will be the first time the whole façade of the building has been primed and painted for a single, large-scale project.
The site has been prepared by volunteers including five asylum seekers from Eritrea currently housed in Margate and awaiting their asylum claims. They are unable to work until their claims are processed but are keen to keep busy and help the community. Other volunteers are Margate locals who have donated paint and are giving a helping hand.
Margate Soul Festival’s ticket holders will be the first to experience Breeze Yoko’s work as part of the regeneration of The Lido building.
The promenade behind the Lido (Lower Newgate Prom) will be the new Sunset Stage for MSF, welcoming thousands of visitors to enjoy soul legends like Heatwave.
The art piece will join the existing large scale, environmental themed murals that have been created across Margate.
RUR has also announced a roster of graffiti artists from Thanet and Kent who will also be adorning the walls with an explosion of colourful letters and characters.
Expect to see works from; Catneil – Chu – Copie – Deam Safari – Eks – Gman – Guerilla Pest – Joe Drury – Notice It – Outta-Gram – Pad 303 – Soul – Vincent Pugh.
Breeze Yoko is a South African based multidisciplinary artist and curator specialising in video/film and graffiti/street art. Yoko has participated in urban art projects in South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, Senegal, Germany, France, Sweden and many more places.
He is the founder and Artistic Director of Ubuhle Bendalo urban contemporary art residency programme that champions and promotes the mural art movement, creating new opportunities for the presentation of urban artists and work.
MSF is Margate’s longest running and largest music festival, founded by Eli Thompson and operated by NewMargate CIC, a social enterprise. This year it will welcome over 70 DJs and live acts across 19 indoor and outdoor stages. £1 of every ticket from Margate Soul Festival will support local environmental projects.
Weekend tickets are £108.90 (£99 + 10% BF) / Day tickets are £60.50 (£55 + 10% BF) / Kids tickets (7-17) are £38.50 (£35 + 10% BF). There are some discounts for ‘locals’ tickets. Margatesoulfestival.co.uk
RUR is an ocean awareness mural project spearheaded by Margate artist Louis Michel. Previous murals have discussed ocean plastics, rising sea levels, endangered marine life and lost souls at sea.
Extra support for the mural has come from Skin Sapiens as part of the 1% For The Planet platform.
Find out more on Instagram at @riseupresidency or @msfesthq
