167 Art Project 2024

URBAN ARTS FESTIVAL, Lecce

23 to 30 September 2024

The 2024 edition of “167 Art Project”, the Urban Arts Festival, kicks off from 23 to 30 September in the Stadio district of Lecce. Born in 2017, the project has sparked an extraordinary transformation of Lecce’s 167 social housing district thanks to the work of internationally renowned street artists.

Over the years 15 large works have been completed on the facades of buildings in the heart of the district, together with many smaller but equally meaningful murals. With the support of the San Giovanni Battista parish community, the festival has started a broad urban regeneration process involving the whole neighbourhood. These works, the result of collaboration with a select team of international artists, have turned the urban walls into real works of art, enriching the community’s cultural heritage. The vibrant colours and monumental creations, with strong visual and symbolic impact, have given a new face to the district’s buildings, actively involving the local community and creating a dialogue between art and residents.

The “167 Art Project” is a grassroots festival, without public funding, supported by the commitment of residents, artists and local associations.

The new features of the 2024 edition are diverse, inclusive and open to all, with workshops and special activities designed for children, teenagers, young people, immigrants and anyone who wants to get closer to urban art, taking the chance to participate actively and help create an ever more lively and creative neighbourhood.

In total, 20 artists will bring their creativity to the walls of the neighbourhood provided by Arca Sud Salento , which has always supported urban art in the neighbourhood. 

Street art is a means through which a community can express its cultural and social identity. Street art works often capture its essence, celebrating its history and instilling a sense of participation and pride.

This year the festival will again see the collaboration of the Embassy and Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, , a partner that gives the event further prestige and international relevance. In addition, Culture Ireland will support the participation of talented Irish artists, further enriching the artistic programme.

Besides the support of international bodies, the festival benefits from the valuable contribution of two local partners: MELLO COSTRUZIONI and DURIPLASTIC. Thanks to these local companies, the artists will be able to use high quality paints, ensuring unique and long lasting works, and will have full support to create their artworks. 

The event, deeply rooted in the local community, will be carried out in partnership with third sector organisations such as the “La Svolta” association of Surbo, the “Terzo Millennio” association, Arci Lecce Solidarietà Cooperativa Sociale which will support the workshop activities.

At the end of each working day, the artists will be able to relax with beers offered by Birre Salento of Leverano, a company that has always loved street art and strongly supports local artists.

Project with the patronage of the Municipality of Lecce. 

The festival will take place in the Stadio district, in particular in the 167 B area. Work will continue in Via Novara, Piazzale Pisa and Via Agrigento, in the areas known as “le Vele”.

Murals are planned on two large facades, about 25 metres high, and on 10 lower walls across the 167B area. The artists chosen for the large facades are Davide DPA from Lecce, calligrapher and street poet, and Joram Roukes, a Dutch artist supported by the Embassy and Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Other artists from the Netherlands, Ireland, Brazil and Italy will paint the lower walls of the “Vele”.

Street art workshops and community participation

The street art workshops involved pupils of the Ampolo School in Surbo and of the Stomeo Zimbalo Comprehensive School, with which the 167B Street workshop has worked for years. Besides the students, the beneficiaries of two first reception centres, Arci Lecce and Terzo Millennio, will also take part in the series of urban art workshops.
Workshops will take place every day, both in the morning and in the afternoon.

FESTIVAL EVENTS

Friday 27 September, from 5 pm, a street art tour of the neighbourhood, followed by a street art workshop open to all children. At 8 pm, a community dinner in Piazzale Bologna, in Lecce’s 167 district.

Saturday 28 September from 8.30 pm, a small party to support the festival at the 167 B Street urban art workshop, Via Siracusa 100, Lecce.

LINE UP:

• Davide DPA (IT)
• Joram Roukes (NL)

• Rimon Guimaraes (BR)   
• BEYOND  (NL) 
• Laxmi Manuela (NL)   
• Magdalena Karol (IE)   
• Sillyme arts (IE) 
• Laidback Design (IE)   
• Tmx  (ES) 
• Mr Blob   (IT) 
• StencilNoire  (IT)
• Piger   (IT)
• Chekos’art (IT)
• Rawtella  (IT)
• Leocifero  (IT)
• CMR crew  (IT)
• Grndr  (IT)
• Gutan (IT)
• Kabo  (IT)
• Dott. Porkas (IT)

Discover more: Urban regeneration through art · Participatory art