Art / art news
10 years of Bristol24/7: Totterdown & North Bristol Art Trail
Bristol can easily bag acclaim for being an artsy city. Apart from being street artist Banksy’s home turf, the city has seen several art wizards touch the sky through their paintings, murals, music and so much more.
The numerous arts trails the city organises are key to Bristol’s art scene, giving a platform for buzzing minds to flourish.
In November 2018, Bristol24/7’s magazine featured artist Nick Gerolemou’s Derby Road painting, to celebrate the return of two of the city’s oldest and biggest art trails – Totterdown’s Arts Trail and North Bristol Art Trail.
is needed now More than ever
Derby Road by Nick Gerolemou featured in 2018’s North Bristol Art Trail and on Bristol24/7’s November 2018 magazine cover
Just in time for the yearly edition of these arts trails, there’s excitement and anticipation to see what will unfold this year.
Looking back at the glorious years, Barnaby Wharam of Totterdown Arts Trail recalled how they rebooted in 2021, “like a phoenix from ashes” after their 2020 edition got cancelled.
He said: “A re-imagined trail with more emphasis on outdoor spaces, window displays, and community venues allowed us to re-ignite the trail despite the pandemic.
“That year’s theme was ‘into the light’ and showed the importance of these community events for people and how they enrich our area.”
Totterdown Arts Trail’s theme for 2024 is ‘umbrellas’ – photo: Totterdown Arts Trail
The Totterdown Arts Trail will return to South Bristol on November 16 and 17, for its 24th edition with the theme of ‘umbrellas’.
Talking about the journey, Wharam said: “The Totterdown Arts Trail is the longest-running arts trail in Bristol.
“It started life as a group of local artists putting on the ‘Front Room’ art trail – very much with a focus on artists’ own homes. The idea of using artists’ living rooms spawned the idea of our logo: ducksy the flying duck.
“This was inspired by the classic retro flying wall duck decorations from a living room. Ducksy can be seen flying on flags proudly waving from venues each year. Over the intervening years, the trail has grown to what it is today with more than a hundred artists sharing their creations (170 this year!).
Emily Gibbard, who goes by the name Totterdown Potterdown will be one of the many artists at this year’s Totterdown Arts Trail – photo: Totterdown Arts Trail
He continued: “As well as opening up their homes, many local community venues such as pubs, schools, churches and cafes become galleries and art markets for the weekend as the whole of Totterdown becomes part of the event.”
For, Michelle Hinshelwood, the chair of North Bristol Art Trail the memories of COVID are different. She said: “During COVID, our art community remained vibrant, with members showcasing their pieces in windows and gardens, proving that art can still thrive in isolation.
“As artists, we love sharing not just our finished work but also the creative process behind it, inviting visitors to browse, chat, and explore what happens behind the scenes.”
From Henleaze to Bishpston, venues will display original prints, paintings, ceramics, jewellery, glassware and more featuring 110 city artists on November 23 and 24.
Laurel Smart with two of her signature large abstract paintings. Find her at Venue 12 on the North Bristol Arts Trail – photo: courtesy of the artist
For Hinshelwood and the team, bringing together the arts trail is a “thrilling feeling” every year.
She continued: “Each year, the art trail draws in both new and returning members. Over the years it has become a highlight on the local calendar.
“The trail is a great opportunity for new artists to showcase their work to the public for the first time. We don’t select members, there are no selection criteria; the trail is inclusive, welcoming anyone within our catchment area who shares a passion for art.
“The enthusiasm of our visitors helps fuel our commitment to putting on the trail year after year. It’s a thrilling feeling as an artist when someone connects with your artwork, especially when they choose to take it home.
“The event is a relaxed affair to explore local creativity around Bishopston, Redland, St Andrews, Horfield, Ashley, and Henleaze.”
In 2024, the North Bristol Art Trail will be held across 50 venues – photo: North Bristol Art Trail
The North Bristol Arts Trail, also called North Bristol Artists will see a new addition this year called ‘The Art Collector’. As part of this, trail visitors will be encouraged to pick up a passport from any venue and get it stamped, and eventually could make them win original artworks that artists have donated to the trail.
Explaining the new addition, Hinshelwood said: “The Art Collector is where we invite visitors to the trail to pick up a ‘passport’ from any venue on the trail and collect stamps from venues they visit.
“Once completed (8 small stamps or alternatively 6 small and 1 from the larger multi venues), passports can be deposited in designated boxes scattered throughout the trail.
“28 of our artists have donated artworks including paintings, original etchings, jewellery, ceramics and textile art. The prize draw will take place at Room 212, Gloucester road on Saturday 7th December at 3pm where former mayor George Fergusson will draw the winning entries.”
Tickets for our ten-year anniversary party are available now on the Spiegeltent website
This article is part of 10 Years of Bristol24/7, a series taking a look back at some of our magazine covers ahead of our anniversary party at the Spiegeltent on November 30.
The event is supported by Ujima Radio and sponsored by Streets Steele.
To get your tickets, visit http://christmasspiegeltent.co.uk/product/b10-celebrating-10-years-of-bristol-24-7-30th-nov.
Main photo: Totterdown Arts Trail
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