The South Bristol Arts Trail is a free event, open to everyone, and takes place once a year in venues across Southville, Bedminster and Ashton.
Each year over 100 local artists exhibit in venues across BS3. Artists open their homes and studio spaces, as well as exhibiting in community venues from schools and shops to cafes and community centres. Wander through our streets and discover new artists, favourite local venues and creatives that might just surprise you.
The much-loved annual BS5 Art Trail brings a diverse programme of live performances, workshops, market stalls and more to Easton, Redfield, Greenbank, St George and Whitehall.
The art trail invites East Bristol locals and visitors to explore to artistic talent in the area, with an array of venues set to host events across BS5.
For more information visit bs5arttrail.co.uk
Studio Upstairs Bristol is a therapeutic arts community dedicated to exploring complex human experience through the practice of art. They hold their annual open studio event at the end of April/beginning of May each year. A stunning mixed-media exhibition, featuring new work by Studio Upstairs members, managers and volunteers.
Studio Upstairs is a registered charity, providing artistic resources and support to adults experiencing mental and emotional distress and in drug and alcohol recovery. The working arts studio is a place where its membership can experiment in the company of others, free from the constraints of contemporary art fashions, therapeutic interpretations and psychiatric diagnosis. Now in its eleventh year in Bristol, it recently celebrated twenty years since its founding in London. As well as visual arts, the Studio also has active music and creative writing groups.
Studio Upstairs
Units 1 & 2 Albion Dockside Estate
Hanover Place
Bristol, BS1 6UT
The St Werburghs’ Art Trail is small but perfectly formed! It takes place in September each year – come and see work by at least 35 artists in open houses, studios (Botany, Boiling Wells) and in the allotments. The Community Centre, the climbing centre, the Scrapstore, Artrageous, Better Food Supermarket, the Miners Arms, and the City Farm Cafe all also exhibit work. Visit the St Werburghs’ Art Trail for more information, including details of how to take part, the dates for this years event and information about where to collect your map.
Spike Island Open Studios, the celebrated annual event, takes place on the first May Bank Holiday weekend.Whilst the public galleries and café are open all year round, Open Studios offers inquisitive visitors a unique opportunity to literally get behind the scenes and explore everything at their own pace. You are invited to meet the array of artists, designers and students who colonise the building, see their work and leisurely view the exhibitions, events and activities that take place over the long weekend. Visit Spike Island Open Studios for more information including this year’s dates.
This year’s Southbank Bristol Arts Trail will be a weekend of arts and performance in homes, churches, community centres and public houses around Southville, Bedminster and Ashton. Venues will be open between 11 am and 6 pm, welcoming the public to see and enjoy work from artists, makers, performers, musicians, and others in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Visit Southbank Arts Trail for more information, the dates for this years event and details about how to take part in future events.
North Bristol Artists is a group of over 100 artists who live or have studios in the North Bristol area. They are a mixture of new and well-established artists, working in a variety of media including painting, photography, sculpture, drawing, print, textiles, pottery, glass, jewellery and more. The annual North Bristol Art Trail takes place on the last weekend in November in over 50 venues, covering Bishopston, Cotham, Henleaze, Horfield, Montpelier, Redland, St Andrews and Westbury Park. Visit North Bristol Artists for more information including the dates of this year’s event, details of venues and where you can collect maps and how to join the waiting list if you want to take part in future events.
Mivart Street Studios are the largest and most eclectic of the city’s studios, hosting a wealth of visual, performing and musical arts. The studios and workshops are based in a vast red brick Victorian building on Mivart Street in Easton situated amidst a multi-cultural community in bustling area of Bristol. It provides affordable long let studios and workshops and exhibition spaces where residents can showcase work. Mivart Artists annual Open Studios normally takes place in October, but visit Mivart Studios for more information, including dates of the next Open Studio and details of artists based in the building.
Bristol’s Jamaica Street Artists throw open their doors to the public for their annual Open Studios exhibition every June. Situated in the heart of the Stokes Croft area at 39 Jamaica Street, Bristol, BS2 8JP, Jamaica Street Studios are the largest artist-led studios in the South West. This popular annual event features a variety of artwork, including paintings, printmaking, textiles, photography, sculpture and illustration. Many of the artists in the building have exhibited nationally and internationally. Visit Jamaica Street Artists for more information and for the dates for this years event.
Front Room was the first art trail to appear in Bristol and boasts a host of professional and amateur artists working in a wide variety of mediums. This popular arts trail takes place annually in November, move from finely woven textiles to bold and brash installation art, delve into the fascinating history of Totterdown or catch live performances in the local pubs. Visitors are encouraged to leave the car at home and to meander from house to house guaranteed of a warm welcome from local artists and residents. Visit Front Room for more information, including this years’ dates and information about how to take part.
BS1 Open organises nine venues in central Bristol open their doors, exhibiting and selling artwork and crafts, and allowing the public a chance to peek inside their studios. Combining the idea of open studios with an arts trail, all the studios are within walking distance of one another and offer distinctly different experiences. BS1 Open 2013 is the inaugural event, and it marks the beginning of an open and collaborative network of creative spaces in Bristol city centre. We hope that it can grow and become an annual tradition. For more information visit BS1 Open or contact joanna@bridewellspace.co.uk.
Art on the Hill returns in the vibrant, artistically rich and compact areas of Windmill Hill and Victoria Park, South Bristol with lots to attract and entertain visitors. This is a free annual community event takes place in October and is open to everyone. You will be welcomed into over 40 venues to view the work of over 80 artists. Paintings, sculpture, drawings, installation and film will be on show, representing a hugely diverse group of artists. Visit Art of the Hill for more information including this year’s dates and details of how to take part.
