Talent lies at the art of resort

For while other towns boast masterpieces hanging in hushed art galleries, our resort has embraced street art as these photographs show.

And following the recent Sand, Sea and Spray event which attracted some of the most creative urban painters from around the globe, people need only walk around the town centre to appreciate their skill.

Not everything will be to everyone’s taste, but the images which range from a flame-haired St George and the dragon to a cigarette-smoking alien, certainly make you stop and think.

One of the best places to spot the artwork is on walls overlooking the Grosvenor car park on the corner of Church Street and Cookson Street, while other work adorns a wall on Topping Street opposite Iceland.

More than 30 artists, some from as far afield as Cuba, Iceland and Portugal, took part in the annual event organised by Blackpool-based Robin Ross.

They included one of the UK’s leading artists DANK and Manchester duo Nomad Clan, two talented female artists with a growing reputation.

Closer to home and from right here in Blackpool were Seca One, Lowdown, Catch 22 and new this year Tangerine Art along with Infected By Design, Donna The Puddle and Famous 4:15.

Dazzling murals were also painted onto the walls of the Old Rock Factory, off Abingdon Street, which is the hub for Blackpool’s art scene and which also hosted various workshops during the weekend.

Depending on access to funding, it is hoped to welcome Sand, Sea and Spray back next year.

David Hirst, of the Creative Arts and Futures Charity which is also one of the festival’s organisers, said: “Sand Sea and Spray is now established on the world calendar of urban events and we want to inspire the next generation of artists, especially those growing up in Blackpool.

“It would be fantastic for a local youngster to go on and feature at similar events across the UK or further afield.”