5th November 2025
Stefan Smit x Cheltenham People Paint Festival
The Cheltenham People Paint Festival, fundraised by individuals and artists, takes place every summer and features muralists and urban artists from all over the world. Over the years, it has become one of the hotspots for urban and street art in the UK.
Daler-Rowney artist Stefan Smit from Cape Town joined the 2024 edition as a lead artist and created a three-story wall in System3 Fluid Acrylic at the Social Service Club on High Street.
The work, titled " Isolation,” was hand-painted via brush in only five days and features two women seemingly out of different worlds seeking connection.
“So, there's an overarching theme to my work, which has to do with connection and this piece is titled Isolation because it's about two people who need to connect, and feel worlds apart, even though they're quite close to each other. So I wanted to create the backdrop of the main figure, which is really vibrant, very modern sort of colours and expression, juxtaposed with a very old school painting technique that was used on the figure in the front, which is a Zorn palette, which is just four colours, which kind of shows a differentiation of the colour palettes used, which drives home the point of these two figures.”
Starting out with a doodle grid, Stefan took on the scaffolding every day and made his mark with markers, brushes, rollers and squeegees to create this stunning piece for the United Social Club and the Cheltenham Community. It was his first time using System3 Fluid on such a scale outdoors and we needed to get his feedback.
“Using Daler-Rowney products has been amazing for me and specifically using the System3 Fluids on such a large scale for the first time has been amazing. The pigments are so high, the application is amazing, it’s an absolute game changer for me.”
Are you interested in seeing this artwork live? The drips, textures and pure scale of this painting will not disappoint! We highly recommend checking out this piece and many other outstanding artists and artworks of the Cheltenham People Paint Festival over the years in real life on a walk through the town.
Our massive thanks go to everyone involved in this project, especially to the artist Stefan Smit, the founder of the Cheltenham People Paint Festival, Andy Dice Davies, and the employees and members of the United Social Club for making this project come to life.
Interview with Stefan
How did you find your experience at the Cheltenham People Paint Festival?
“I'm really honoured to be a headlining artist this year. It's really been great being in the town, seeing all of the artwork and, really honoured to be here.”
Tell us a bit more about the meaning behind this piece and why you painted it?
"So there's an overarching theme to my work, which has to do with connection. This piece is titled Isolation because it's about two people who need to connect, and feel worlds apart, even though they're actually quite close to each other. So I wanted to create the backdrop of the main figure, which is really vibrant, very modern sort of colours and expressions, juxtaposed with a very old school painting technique that was used on the figure in the front, which is a Zorn palette, which is just four colours, which kind of shows a differentiation of the colour palettes used, which drives home the point of these two figures. Feeling so separated. It's kind of a theme that I'm really interested in because I feel like in society today, there's a lot of separation among us. And we need that connection, even though we live so close together and it can feel as though we're sometimes quite isolated from one another. So I think it actually works quite well with it being, on the building of the United Services Club. it's, just a reminder to reach out and connect with our community."
How was your experience in painting here at United Services?
"I had an amazing time painting here. It was fantastic to be welcomed so warmly by everybody. the United Services Club has been amazing and welcoming and, also really surprising to have such warm weather in England."
It’s been your first time applying System3 Fluid outdoors how have you found it?
"It's been amazing using Daler-Rowney products. Honestly, the System3 Acrylics on this wall have been a game changer for me. It's my first time using it. It's on a three-storey mural. the colours absolutely pop. They're easy to apply, and it's just been such a joy to be able to use them on this scale."
Interview with Maria, a United Services Employee/Member
Can you introduce yourself?
“I'm Maria and I work here at United Services. What does United Services do? It's a social club. I think originally for ex-service people. But times have changed, and we welcome most people now. But we're still quite rooted in the history. I guess.”
How did you get the Mural?
“There was a thing on Facebook asking if you have a wall that we could use for the festival. Things like that. So I've always loved following the art around. I think it started along the Hannibal line years ago with the kids on their bikes and stuff, and we always look for new pictures. and then I read that they didn't get their funding, so we did a fundraiser here to try. And I mean, that was only a few hundred quid, but I'm sure it will help. So I think because we did that as well, we were lucky enough to get the order. And how do you like it? I love it. Every time I look at I see something new and I think especially when the scaffold moves out the way, we'll be able to see it better.”
Do you think it will bring something to the town?
“Yeah. I just think it's just a happy thing, isn't it? Bright and colourful. You wouldn't really notice the wall before, I guess. it was quite dark and nothing was going on”
Are the reactions in the club good about the one?
“Absolutely. Everyone's really excited. And they're thrilled that you've added the little poppy.”
Interview with Andy Dice Davies, Director of the Cheltenham People Paint Festival
