Southend City Jam, the UK’s largest street art festival, returns from 29 to 31 August 2025, transforming the city centre, seafront and pier into a vibrant canvas of creativity.
Now in its fourth year, the festival will welcome hundreds of artists from around the world to paint large-scale murals on more than 100 walls across the city.
This year, the festival welcomes back JEKS, an acclaimed graffiti and mural artist from Greensboro, North Carolina. JEKS (real name Brian Lewis) began his artistic journey in the 1990s with traditional tagging and lettering, later evolving into hyper-realistic murals known for their meticulous detail and smooth gradients.
At City Jam 2023, JEKS left a lasting impression with his mural "Kenny Dub", a striking, monochromatic portrait of Mr Kenny Dub in Clarence Road car park. The piece drew wide acclaim for both its technical excellence and the emotional story behind it.
The return of JEKS highlights the world-class talent Southend City Jam continues to attract. The festival's success is made possible thanks to the support of sponsors and local businesses, who help fund everything from materials to logistics.
Sponsorship offers a valuable opportunity for businesses to be part of a growing, high-profile event and connect with a wide, diverse audience. A range of sponsorship packages are available and can be tailored to suit different budgets and needs.
Cllr Matt Dent, cabinet member for business, culture, music and tourism, said: "I'm so excited to see such an amazing event return to our city, spearheaded by the incredibly talented and sought after JEKS from the USA. Street art is an artform that absolutely everyone can enjoy.
"We're confident City Jam will boost visitor numbers, create a buzzing atmosphere, and leave a legacy of artwork that enhances our streets and builds civic pride. Sponsorship of City Jam is a brilliant way for businesses to get involved and reach a new audience."
For more information, visit the Southend City Jam website.