Eye Candy Festival

PRESS RELEASE
14th September 2012

Eye Candy on display in Birmingham

A brand new visual pop culture festival, Eye Candy, will be coming to Birmingham’s Southside district from 11th – 14th October and promises to showcase illustration, art and design through an action-packed programme of events.

Exhibitions, meet-ups, interventions and a talks programme with industry heavyweights will all be taking place across four days in Southside’s local bars, restaurants and public spaces. Workshops about zine making, and screen printing will also be available to members of the public and art lovers alike.

The festival has been set up by the team responsible for Fused Magazine with the support of Southside Business Improvement District (BID). The four day event is in partnership with Birmingham Zine Fest, which will run alongside Eye Candy.

Both events are part of a season of festivals taking place in Southside throughout 2012, designed to bring greater footfall to Birmingham. With support from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the festivals celebrate Southside’s rich cultural mix with a range of different activities available.
 
Julia Chance, Southside BID manager, said:

“Southside is home to the city’s Chinese community, Gay Village and Theatreland. The area oozes creativity and, along with our array of bustling bars and restaurants acting as venues, it really makes the perfect location for the Eye Candy Festival.

“We’re extremely pleased to welcome such an inclusive and engaging event to the district and we’re looking forward to seeing some unique art showcased in this unique area of Birmingham”

Internationally renowned New York based illustrator Jeremyville will be showcasing his ‘Community Announcement’ series for the first time in the UK while further international and UK talent is due to be announced over the forthcoming weeks.

Kerry O’Coy, editor of Fused Magazine and Eye Candy Festival coordinator, said:

“The festival will bring together the very best speakers including UK artist and illustrator Mr Bingo (12th October) and industry heavyweights to both discuss and demonstrate art, design and illustration over the course of four enjoyable days.

“Eye Candy is sure to produce some extremely innovative and exciting work, and it’s completely free to all so we’re encouraging everyone to come along!”

The festival is supporting this year’s OxjamBrum Takeover with a special auction of unique artist 12x12” record sleeve covers. Artists will be submitting their ‘re-imagined’ covers of Midlands bands past and present. All proceeds from the auction will go to Oxjam’s fundraising for 2012.

To find out more about Birmingham’s Southside district, go to
http://www.enjoysouthside.co.uk/.

—-ENDS—-

Notes to Editors

Southside BID was established in 2011 and was created following a ballot of local business owners. It is funded by a levy paid for by all qualifying business owners in the Southside BID area and operates on a not-for-profit basis.

To contact Southside BID:
Julia Chance      
bidmanager[@]southsidebid.co.uk 
    
For press enquiries, please contact Rewired PR on 0121 236 2132 or
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