LUXE Serendipity magazine

By Donna Richardson

The opening night of Street Art Fest 2026 at Surface Gallery in Nottingham brought together some of the city’s finest street artists, creatives and art lovers for an evening celebrating the vibrant world of street art.

I was there as the guest of Tim Mayfield of MAYPOPART, and I was particularly excited to see his iconic work. Tim had two submissions featured in the exhibition: “Ayup Me Duck” and “The History of Loveable Vandals.”

Both pieces brought a distinctive Nottingham character to the exhibition and reflected his unique approach to contemporary pop and street art.

Tim’s creative talents have manifested in various forms over the years. He worked for the iconic Nottingham designer Paul Smith. Since then, he has transitioned to becoming a full-time creative artist, developing his own distinctive style through painting and design. Additionally, he has showcased his creativity as a chef and on the turntables, which he first purchased at 15, when he aspired to be a scratch DJ. “During my junior school years, I spent all my time drawing, dreaming of becoming a cartoonist, but then life and work got in the way,” he said.

Tim’s distinctive style combined bold colour, strong graphic imagery and a playful pop-art sensibility. His work had an unmistakable sense of character, often drawing on familiar Nottingham references and giving them a contemporary street-art twist. There was a lively, almost nostalgic quality to his pieces, while his confident use of colour and imagery gave the work an immediate visual impact.

The exhibition at Surface Gallery recognised Tim among some of Nottingham’s finest street artists. Among those in attendance were Dilk – who is one of Nottingham’s most celebrated street artists who began tagging in the eighties as well as Harvey Tomlinson, Julian Pinnick and GeeTee, SmallKid and many more established and emerging artists from the city’s creative scene.

Also exhibiting was Matthew Hood, working under Claw N Disorder, adding another distinctive voice to the diverse collection of street art on display. There was also a personal connection between Matthew and Tim: both attended Dayncourt School, making their appearance at the same exhibition a particularly interesting link between two Nottingham creatives whose artistic paths had developed over the years.

The artists’ works adorned the walls of Surface Gallery, creating a colourful, visually striking display that celebrated each artist’s individuality and creativity. The exhibition brought together a variety of styles and approaches, showcasing the depth of talent within Nottingham’s street-art community.

Held at Surface Gallery on Southwell Road, the festival featured work from local, national and international artists. The gallery had been transformed into an energetic exhibition space, with artwork displayed from floor to ceiling in a striking salon-style presentation.

Visitors had the opportunity to explore the diverse collection while meeting artists and members of Nottingham’s creative community. The opening night had a lively and welcoming atmosphere, with refreshments available from the donation bar. Pizza was also brought in for everyone to enjoy, adding to the evening’s friendly, informal atmosphere.

The attendance and participation of so many respected Nottingham artists demonstrated the strength of the city’s street-art community. Artists, collectors, enthusiasts and members of the public came together to celebrate the creativity and culture surrounding the exhibition.

Street Art Fest 2026 provided a memorable opening night and showcased the talent, originality and diversity of street art in Nottingham, bringing many of the city’s leading creative voices together under one roof.