My Dog Sighs £100,000 art giveaway in treasure hunt for city centenary
Internationally recognised street artist My Dog Sighs is to give away £100,000-worth of art across Portsmouth this Easter in a treasure hunt to celebrate 100 years since we became a city.
Inspired by the global Free Art Friday movement — which encourages artists to leave work in public spaces for people to discover, keep, and enjoy — the project will transform Portsmouth into a large-scale, interactive treasure hunt. Around 8,000 individual artworks will be placed across the city, all completely free to find and keep.
The Easter treasure hunt will actively encourage people to wear their love of My Dog Sighs, with volunteer spotters rewarding fans who are spotted sporting his imagery or merchandise as they explore the city. The event will also partner with independent pubs, cafés, retailers, and key tourist attractions, embedding the project into Portsmouth’s everyday cultural life and supporting local businesses.
The artworks available will range from My Dog Sighs’ iconic painted cans and coins to sculptures, beer mats, and other collectible pieces.
The flagship artwork will be a bespoke necklace worth several thousand pounds, designed in collaboration with renowned jewellery designer Charlotte Cornelius, offering a once-in-a-lifetime find for one lucky participant.
It builds on the huge success of My Dog Sighs’ 2023 Free Art Friday event, which marked 20 years since he became an artist and celebrated his role as a pioneer of the movement. That event attracted an estimated 35,000 people to Portsmouth, drawing visitors from across the UK and beyond and creating a city-wide celebration of creativity, generosity, and community.
“My work has always been about accessibility – taking art out of galleries and putting it directly into people’s hands,” said the artist.
“Celebrating Portsmouth’s city centenary felt like the perfect moment to give something back on a scale never done before.
"This is about joy, discovery, and reminding people how powerful art can be. With the cost of living affecting so many people, it limits their ability to buy art – this project will give thousands of people the opportunity to put art in their home.”
Participants will be encouraged to explore Portsmouth’s streets, share their finds online, and experience the city through art, while respecting public spaces and fellow treasure hunters.
Full details, including how to take part, will be announced closer to the event.
The project is supported by Portsmouth City Council. For more about Portsmouth 100 and events going on across the year, go to: visitportsmouth.co.uk/portsmouth-100.