UP HERE 5 SERVES UP THE SUMMER OF YOUR TECHNICOLOUR DREAMS

Sudbury is about to get just a little more vibrant! Thanks to the Up Here festival crew, over 28 city walls (and even a rooftop) have been transformed into literal works of art since 2013. We love seeing our exteriors get a little refresh, and the murals always bring an amazing new sense of pride to the community. Over the course of the festival weekend August 16^th – 18^th you’ll be able to check out all sorts of musical acts at venues all across downtown as well as immersive and interactive art installations. Durham St will become your playground for the weekend with the iconic geodesic dome at the center! Read on to learn more about the muralists and installation artist’s who’s work you’ll be able to check out over Up Here 5, you can grab your tickets to the fest today by visiting www.uphere.com.

RISK 

RISK is one of the biggest names in the street art and graffiti scene in the United States. The length of RISK’s career spans over 30 years of his intense dedication to spray paint. He made a strong impact on the evolution of graffiti as an art form worldwide by pushing the boundaries of graffiti with his unique letterforms. He was one of the first writers in Southern California to paint freight trains, and he pioneered writing on freeway overpasses.

While the rest of the mural locations have yet to be announced, the Up Here crew have been cooking up a special project with RISK. This year marks 5 years of the fest and what better way to commemorate the occasion than with a massive milestone project! This has got to be their biggest mural yet but we’re so excited to see the transformation of the old St. Joseph’s Hospital on Paris!!! This building has been an empty eyesore left neglected for far too long and now it will be turned into a beautiful piece of art for all Sudburians to enjoy. Work will start on the large scale project very soon so keep your eyes peeled when you’re driving by!

 

TRAV MSK

TRAV MSK is a graffiti and street-art artist from Visalia, California. His visits to Los Angeles as a child and the graffiti culture of the city shaped his artistic aesthetic. Currently, his work reflects the shift in our society from the industrial to the digital era which can be observed in his pieces that mirror the whimsical signage of the ’50s and ’60s. He pays homage to the craftsmanship of an older generation while embracing current technology to produce his work. He is an active member of The Seventh Letter and Mad Society Kings Artist Collective.

Laura Peturson

Laura Peturson’s work is narrative in nature and draws upon archetypes from children’s literature. Her work captures an experience of childhood as it relates to place: place as geography, place within a family structure, and the interiority that forms one’s sense of identity. She’s based in Callander.

Matti Lehtelä

Matti Lehtelä is a graphic designer, illustrator, and dreamer based in Sudbury who finds inspiration and beauty in the world around him. From ‘90s pop culture to Touko Laaksonen, to the vast cosmos we call home, Matti pulls from these sources to create lush, technicolour, alternate realities. Lehtelä was a part of the Power Up Project in 2017.

But that’s not all! You’ll also be able to check out immersive art installations from guest artists and locals. Take a walk around Saturday afternoon and check out the Downtown Sudbury Art Crawl, artists will be ready with their studios open for you to check out their work and even drop in on workshops. Make a stop on Durham st and bust a move in the dome on their outdoor dancefloor with DJ’s appearing all day! Up Here knows how to create an atmosphere so allow yourself to get swept up in the party, lose your inhibitions and get weird!

KWEST

Notorious graffiti sculptor KWEST will create a three-dimensional installation in collaboration with Manitoulin Island-based sculptor One KWE. KWEST (Brian Leitch) is a pioneer in the fusion of graffiti and sculpture and has a unique ability to create site-specific installations, which maintain relevance to the location while emphasizing contemporary aesthetics.

One KWE

One KWE (Kathryn Corbiere) is an Ojibwe artist and welder from M’Chigeeng First Nation on Manitoulin Island and has been making her mark in metal, art, furniture, and fabrication on Manitoulin and the North Shore since 2014.

Year five of Up Here is set to be another one for the books with headlining acts for the multi-venue fest including Snotty Nose Rez Kids, ESG and Milk & Bone. The fan favourite geodesic dome (and pop-up bar) will be back in full force for Up Here 5, August 16-18. The festival crew will be creating a downtown playground, with DJ and musical performances so you can dance your heart out on Durham all weekend long! All Durham st activities will be free to the public to take in the energy and discover downtown in a new light. Passports are available now at www.uphere.com for $110 as well as individual show tickets ranging $10-30. Act fast to get in on the fun!