Everything you need to know about this year's Yardworks Festival: who you can see, what you can do, what you can eat, and more.
What is Yardworks?
Now in its fifth year, Yardworks Festival is a leading showcase of contemporary urban art.
This year, over 100 artists will descend upon the Galvanizers Yard for three days filled with colour and creativity. Some of the biggest names in urban art and graffiti will feature at the event, including 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, with a drink and food in hand, and there will be a range of art workshops and activities on offer throughout the weekend.
So, what can I eat?
As always, Yardworks Festival provides a treat for the tastebuds, as well as the eyes, and there'll be a variety of street food on offer including wood-fired pizzas and healthy salads from Nomad, margaritas and tacos from the Rafa’s Patrón truck, filled subs and loaded fries from Yella, as well as a good old ice cream van – so you can enjoy a 99 in the sun.
In terms of drinks, SWG3’s bars will be open late on Saturday and Sunday, providing the perfect setting for a get-together with friends and family, with plenty of outdoor seating areas that are ideal for sitting down and taking in all the action.
Is it family friendly?
Yardworks is designed to be fun for all the family, regardless of age. Under 16s go free, and there will be a range of free activities taking place throughout the weekend to keep kids, and parents, entertained – including Mia McGregor's popular participatory art project where youngsters will be able to make their own graffiti cubes. As well as this, there will be various other workshops taking place across the venue including hip-hop dance workshops, screen-printing workshops, 'paint your name' graffiti workshops, and sewing workshops which will run in collaboration with Eastvale Place residents Trakke.
Of course, it wouldn't be Yardworks without the OG, and best, club night for kids and parents, Mini Manoeuvres. Running from the Warehouse on both days, with DJs providing plenty of tunes, it's sure to be a great laugh for all the family – however, it's worth noting that this is a ticketed event, so make sure to grab a ticket beforehand to ensure entry – tickets can be purchased here.
Which artists will be there?
Artist from across the world will head to the Galvanizers Yard for this year's Yardworks Festival. Legends such as ACHES, Voyder, and Etnik, and many more will join local-based talents such as KMG, and Molly Hankinson to share ideas, get inspired, and create colourful works of art live in front of your very eyes.
This year also marks the opening of the ‘Yardworks 23’ Exhibition in the Yardlife Gallery, which will open on Saturday 6 May at 11am. This exhibition will showcase work by internationally renowned artists including .EPOD, Morf, EKTO, STER, SledOne, Jay Kaes, ETNIK, AROE, Marcamix031, and 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 artworks and prints, including exclusive Yardworks t-shirts and prints designed by Dave Aches.
Sounds good, is there anything else I need to know?
Get down early, so that you can enjoy watching the murals being built up from a stretch of freshly painted black to a highly skilled final result. Watching the layers and details come together is one of the best things about the festival.
If you can't make it to the festival, you don't have to completely miss out. 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 from Monday to Friday, 10am-6pm.
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Friday 5 May Yardworks Studio launch (invited guests only)
Saturday 6 May 11am—8pm
Sunday 7 May 11am—7pm
Adult day ticket: £6 (+ booking fees)
