Derby Well Re-dressed brings art into the city centre

Derby city centre and the surrounding area will be transformed into a street gallery with artwork, performances and contemporary well dressings, for the Derby Well Re-dressed weekend from Friday 25 to Sunday 27 September 2020.

The weekend would have been the annual Derby Festé outdoor entertainment festival, but as this cannot go ahead this year due to Government guidance around mass gatherings, it has been reinvented. The outdoor gallery will include some of the street artwork created for the Melbourne Festival, and an arts trail around the city will also launch on Saturday 26 September.

It is the first event under the Derby Well campaign, launched by Déda, the lead partner behind Derby Festé, to support and promote cultural and arts activities in and around Derby city centre through a diverse performance and events programme – both virtual and, when permitted and safe to do so, physical.

This long-term initiative brings together key partners and organisations across the city, and will showcase Derby’s arts, cultural calibre and vibrancy while aiding our communities’ transition back into everyday life. 

As the city works to emerge post-lockdown, Derby Well aims to be an important driver in the social, cultural and economic re-development and growth of the city. The programme will support artists back into work, encourage people back into the city centre in a safe and socially distanced way, and contribute to the wellbeing of city communities by engaging with wider audiences.

The idea behind Derby Well stems from Derbyshire’s unique Well Dressing festivals which have now become a traditional series of outdoor events held every summer across our county.

Steve Slater, director of Déda, said:

“We obviously have to think differently this year and the idea behind Festé/Derby Well is to create a series of events that will celebrate our city and reunite our communities. This will be the perfect way to proclaim the city’s strength and ability to overcome the pandemic with care and kindness, humanity, creativity and love.”

For more information about Derby Well Re-dressed, please see our event page, and you can also visit the Derby Festé website to find out more about Derby Well.