Windmill Hill and Victoria Park prepare for Art on the Hill 2023

Art on the Hill (AOTH) is back for 2023, with 70 artists of all disciplines showcasing their work around Windmill Hill and Victoria Park across the weekend of October 7-8.

The annual community event benefits from a compact trail area, allowing visitors the chance to dot around 25 different venues, all within a short walk from one another.

The rich array of work on show includes drawing, painting, papercraft, printmaking, ceramics, textiles, photography, jewellery and glass.

Artist Abi Eleri at Windmill Hill Bowls Club – photo: Art on the Hill

This year, there will also be music and poetry performances, as well as free art and craft activities at St Mary Redcliffe Primary school (Saturday) and a simple origami workshop at the Windmill Hill Community Centre (Sunday).

Visitors are encouraged to look out for residential window displays as they venture around the trail.

Bristol24/7 asked some of the artists to share their insights on taking part:

Artwork: Art on the Hill

Anna Harley – artist and multidisciplinary printmaker working primarily with screenprint

“I have taken part in AOTH for about six years now and enjoy meeting people who come around the trail as well as getting feedback about my work. It’s a really good opportunity to see my prints shown together as a body of work and this often gives me direction and focus for what to make next.

“The screenprint process allows me to hand-print original works of art in limited edition multiples, that I sign and number. Each print in the edition is built up from several layers of images/colour, one on top of the next. They will also last a long time, as the inks I use are highly light fast and the paper is cotton and acid-free, so won’t yellow with age.

“This year I am showing prints from Nutgrove Avenue again this year, alongside two friends: Martine Baldwin is a fellow printmaker, who did the MA at the same time as me and makes sensitive wood block and intaglio prints; Christopher Wortley is a photographer and ceramicist.”

Anna Harley – photo: courtesy of the artist

Karen Mullins – photographer specialising in darkroom, digital and cyanotope prints

It’s my first time entering AOTH and I am really excited to be a part of it. I’ll be showing my work on Vivian Street.

I love the immediacy of the photography and the endless possibilities that both digital and analogue have to offer.

Karen Mullins – photo: courtesy of the artist

Bob Havard – ceramicist, using earthenware and stoneware clays

“I tried painting, sculpture and wood carving but found the feel and flexibility of clay suited me best. I have been working with clay since 1976.

“I make affordable functional and decorative ceramics, and over the last few years I’ve decorated with coloured clay slips and transparent glazes, and occasionally just with coloured glazes.

“This is my third trail with AOTH. I like its distinctly local feel. I will be at the Victoria Park Bowls Club which is at the edge of the park very near the top of the wonderfully named Nutgrove Avenue.”

Bob Havard – photo: courtesy of the artist

Abi Eleri – watercolour painter

“I chose watercolour as a medium about eight to nine years ago. I just decided I wanted to get good at one medium. I partly chose it because I was a student and it was affordable back then. I later learned it was the hardest paint to master – challenge accepted!

“In my work I often throw in a bit of ink and gouache to keep things fresh and vibrant. I have also recently started foraging and making my own watercolour paints and inks, which future designs and images will be painted in.

“I think I have been involved with AOTH three or four times now. I love the event, and the date is always saved in my calendar. Being based in BV Studios, just down the hill, and living in Knowle West, this is definitely my most local Art Trail. The event is always a great celebration of local artists and work, and always organised fantastically.

“I am displaying in The Victoria Park Bowls Club this year. Looking forward to meeting the other artists there – and watching some bowling!”

Abi Eleri – photo: courtesy of the artist

Art on the Hill 2023 takes place on October 7-8, from 11am-5pm each day. For more information about the featured artists, performers and workshops over the weekend, visit www.artonthehill.org.uk or follow @aoth_bristol on Instagram.

Main photo: Art on the Hill

Read more: Art on the Hill 2022 returns to Windmill Hill

Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast: