Call for artists: join the Pride of Portsmouth art trail
October 20, 2025
Artists Invited to Roar into Action for the Pride of Portsmouth Art Trail
Portsmouth’s streets are set to come alive with colour, creativity and a whole lot of roar-some personality!
Applications are now open to become one of the talented artists behind the Pride of Portsmouth art trail, launching in summer 2026 as part of the Portsmouth100 celebrations. This spectacular public art event will see a pride of lion sculptures take over the city, each transformed into a unique work of art by creatives with a passion for Portsmouth.
We’re calling on artists of all styles and backgrounds to get involved. Whether you work in fine art, graffiti, illustration, mosaic, or digital media, we want to see your boldest, most imaginative designs. Submissions will be shortlisted by an expert panel before being presented to sponsors for final selection.
Each chosen artist will receive a £1,000 commission, plus £200 for materials, and the chance to have their work seen by thousands of residents and visitors alike.
To help bring the trail to life, we’ve already unveiled our first lion, Leonardo Da Pompey, created by local artist Louise Braithwaite (aka Mad Lou Publishing), based at the Hotwalls Studios. Leonardo has been prowling the city’s landmarks, giving a sneak peek of what’s to come.
The Pride of Portsmouth trail aims to shine a spotlight on the city’s thriving creative scene and celebrate the incredible talent within our local community.
So, if you’re ready to unleash your creativity and help make Portsmouth roar, we’d love to hear from you.
