‘Less grey, more play’ – 2023 competition to paint electricity boxes is open

Despite Dublin usually looking grey and rainy, you may find a pop of colour along the streets, from the corner of your eye – because of Dublin’s electricity boxes. 

Dublin Canvas is calling for artists to apply for their 2023 competition.

Electricity boxes are everywhere and to make them a little bit more appealing to the eye, artists are allowed to draw and paint their artwork on them if they are given permission.

It brings visual creativity into the city and is a platform for smaller artists as people take pictures of the artwork and post them on social media.  

“Less grey, more play” is what Dublin Canvas started to call the idea in 2015, to turn everyday mundane objects in the city into colour creative artworks.

They called out on April 20 for artists to send in submissions for their 2023 competition.

There are over 100 canvases up for grabs and artists are encouraged to take inspiration from their local areas in Dublin.   

Dublin Canvas is fully funded by all four of County Dublin’s local authorities.

The artworks are all unique and put a smile on your face when navigating the city.  

There are always new ones being added to our streets. Most recently, a striking tribute to the late painter Francis Bacon was completed on an electricity box in Baggot Street, Dublin 2.

Dublin Canvas allocates a budget for successful artists to create their pieces during June and August.

The deadline is Friday, May 19, and further information is available on the website here.