Multi-Stories Chapter 2

Multi-Stories returned to Westquay on 18 and 19 May 2024, expanding the permanent street art gallery created the previous year and bringing another weekend of live art, music, skating, dance and creative participation to the multi-storey car park.

More than 30 artists created new large and small-scale permanent murals, bringing together internationally recognised street artists including EPOD, Mr Cenz and Captain Kris with Southampton and regional artists including Slam, Pogo, Ralf and Ayem.

Chapter 2 continued Multi-Stories’ focus on creating opportunities for emerging artists. Six art-frame commissions were again offered to local artists, while several artists who had received emerging commissions in 2023 returned to take on larger-scale murals, including Joanna Rose Tidey, Olivia Crawley and Edgar Lushaju. Other artists featured across the 2024 programme included Emma Tuck, Lauren Marina, Tom Hewitt and Jeru Nomi.

Alongside the live painting, visitors could get involved through free graffiti, life drawing and chalk-and-tape workshops, as well as a community wall design competition. The winning design, created by 11-year-old Joseph, was later transformed into a permanent mural with Hampshire artist Kev Munday.

Skateboarding and rollerblading were again central to the weekend, with We Skate Southampton providing demonstrations and opportunities for people to learn new skills. Breakdancing took place alongside a programme of Southampton musicians and DJs spanning genres from across 60 years of the city’s musical history.

New for Chapter 2 was the South Coast Makers Market, bringing independent makers and creatives into the programme and broadening the range of ways people could experience and take part in the event.

Paintshop Studio returned as creative producers for the artwork, with Joe Ross of Good Idea Today leading on emerging artist commissions and creative community workshops.

Chapter 2 built on the first year by adding new artworks and activities while also creating progression opportunities for artists who had first become involved through Multi-Stories in 2023.