THE URBAN STREET ART SCENE TRANSFORMING LEICESTER

Last Updated on 25th February 2026 by Bejal

Around 10 years ago, Leicester city had a very different landscape with the street art (or graffiti as it was referred to back then!) was quite sparse with few in-between the surge of new builds popping up all over the place.

Emergence of Street Art in the City

What a difference a few years makes though, anyone visiting the streets of LE1 would be hard pushed not to be overwhelmed by the street art scene in the city. Back in 2017, Leicester held the first ‘Bring the Paint’ festival, which was an immersive event bringing an array of international and national artists from around the world collaborating on projects around the city.

I first noticed the street art in LE1 with the consistent appearance of the ‘worm’ with a gradual appreciation of the emerging murals and tags becoming more and more visible.

Although the identity of the ‘worm’ artist is unknown, I am always quite curious to see where his latest worm creation has popped up and I have to admit the ‘worm’ does appear in the most unusual of locations!! Keep an eye out if you visit or live in the city.

My love of global street are has developed through my humble encounters in my hometown and have since taken many tours on my global travels including, The Bushwick Collective in Williamsburg, NYC, the street art scene in Athens, Berlin, Italy, Florence, East London, Rio de Janeiro, Bristol and perhaps the most personally profound, The Mural Mile in Philadelphia.

Posts if you fancy a read of more of my global street art love

THE AMAZING BUSHWICK COLLECTIVE STREET ART TOUR, BROOKLYN

THE MURAL MILE, PHILADELPHIA:THE WORLD’S BIGGEST OUTDOOR GALLERY

Leicester-based Arts Project Graffwerk

Graffwerk is a multifaced arts project team comprising of Anthony Overend and Izzy Hopkins. The project is focussed on aerosol artwork and aims to redefine the visiual landscape of cities through the expression of street art.

Graffwerk also provide artist management, educational provision, project management alongside social improvement activities as well as being responsible for the ‘Bring the Paint’ Festival in Leicester.

You can read more about Bring the Paint 2017 below

https://belavie-new.flexiweb.space/bring-paint-2017-leicester/

Graffwerks was born from years of independent collaborative projects supporting the development of artists and musicians locally and nationally. Graffwerks offers an array of services including bespoke murals, workshops, live art, illustration, graphic design and event management, which can also include provision of music.

To find out more about what Griefworks do, head on over to their website

Graffwerks centre is home to established street art shop Graff HQ, where there is a vegan café (Pomelo & Rocket), a public gallery curated by Graffwerk, print studio, offices and a resident art studio. The spaces also houses a legal area for artists of all abilities to develop their street art skills.

If you’re a regular follower, you will have seen many images of me around Leicester’s Street art scene and amongst many other initiatives in the city, I am very proud that via Graffwerks street artists have been given the opportunity to showcase their talents at all abilities. It is a truly progressive approach to urban regeneration and social responsibility bringing together am audience of mutual appreciation.

Some Personal Street Art Favourites

Next time you’re out and about on the streets of LE1 take some time to admire the talents that enhance the walls Leicester’s urban landscape and maybe even the socially diverse messages behind these.

Some new additions to the city courtesy of artists through Graffwerks

For further information contact or pay Graffwerks a visit at

The Mill  4 North Mills  Frog Island Leicester LE3 5DL

The next Bring the Paint is scheduled to be in 2021

À bientôt