Multi-Stories Chapter 3

The third and final chapter of Multi-Stories took place at Westquay on 17 and 18 May 2025, completing three years of transforming the multi-storey car park into a permanent public street art gallery.

Chapter 3 centred on the theme Connections, inspired by the idea that we have more in common than sets us apart. New murals across Levels 4–6 connected the artworks created on other levels during the previous two chapters, bringing the evolving gallery together across the car park.

Artists painted live throughout the weekend, with new work from established street artists alongside commissions supporting local and emerging talent. Opportunities included commissions for Southampton-area artists from different creative disciplines to create work for art frames, providing a route into live painting for artists who were not necessarily already working within street art.

Artists involved in Chapter 3 included Ben Scott Hawkins, Jennifer Mon, Charlene Man, Sadie Were, Kathy Williams and Finn Kelly, with artist interviews filmed during the event capturing some of the people and creative processes behind the new work.

Public participation remained a central part of Multi-Stories. Workshops included graffiti canvas painting, badge-making, life drawing and large-scale chalk-and-tape floor art, alongside another Community Wall Design Competition.

Skateboarding and roller skating sessions gave beginners opportunities to learn alongside Southampton’s skating community, while breaking performances and workshops, DJs and street performances brought music and movement into the car park. South Coast Makers Market also returned, showcasing independent makers and sustainable UK-made work.

Joe Ross returned as a Multi-Stories producer, focusing on emerging artist commissions, workshops and the community wall, alongside the wider project team and partners.

By the end of Chapter 3, Multi-Stories had transformed the car park into an extensive permanent collection of graffiti and street art spanning its levels – bringing together work by leading national artists and Southampton talent and leaving a major new piece of public art in the centre of the city.