Street art festival to dazzle Rochdale town centre

Street artists from across the world have descended on Rochdale for a week-long mural festival.

The Common Walls International Mural Festival will see renowned artists painting 10 new murals on buildings in the town centre.

Rochdale Council said people would be able to see the murals being painted all this week before they are officially finished on 13 September.

Curator Hayley Garner, also known as AYLO, said: “I’m so excited to see these spaces transformed into landmarks of creativity.”

Other artists taking part in the festival include Insane51, from Greece, Berlin-based Onur and Smug1 who is an Australian-born artist who is now based in Glasgow.

The council said all the murals would be located within a 30-minute walk on sites including Drake Street, Smith Street, Baillie Street and Bell Street.

Guided tours with street art blogger Stuart Holdsworth will run at 12:00 and 14:00 BST on Saturday.

Visitors will also be able to see free BMX freestyle stunts, skateboard tricks as well as mountain bike riders jumping across obstacles when the artworks are finished.

The council said there would also be a basketball trick show and breakdancing displays as well as a “graffiti jam” with nine mural artists competing live.

Councillor Sue Smith said the line-up on Saturday would be “thrilling” and a “real feast for the senses”.

She added that the “incredible stunts and tricks” will be “delivered by some of the world’s best athletes and artists”.