Bristol Gallery Weekend: a celebration of the city’s contemporary art scene

Taking inspiration from European cities including Paris, Madrid, Berlin and Brussels, the inaugural Bristol Gallery Weekend will be taking place on March 21-24.

With events taking places in galleries and creative spaces across the city, the weekend is intended to celebrate Bristol’s flourishing contemporary art scene.

As well as enabling greater access to culture, organisers are passionate about shedding new light on both the diversity and strength of talent working across the artistic mediums.

Royal Photographic Society

Studio74

The participating galleries include ArtPark in Totterdown, SERCHIA in Cotham, Circular ArtSpace in Fishponds, D-Unit in Bedminster, Lime Tree Gallery in Hotwells, Ken Stradling Collection in the City, North Street Gallery in Southville, and Hidden Gallery in Clifton Village.

A map is now available showcasing the spread of venues, and the individual events they are hosting.

Adrian Mantle is coordinating the weekend. He told Bristol24/7 about how the idea first began to take shape, and his hopes for what it might achieve:

Did you take inspiration from particular cities?

“Many European cities hold gallery weekends, usually at the start of the art season. I’d wondered why it had never happened in Bristol, which is a really creative city with a lot of art spaces, studios and cultural events.

“I chatted with the other galleries in Bristol last summer and we decided that we should launch at the beginning of spring to emphasise the theme of renewal and awakening.”

Livingstone St Ives

D-Unit

Bristol is undeniably brimming with art and artists, but are there particular ways in which you would characterise the city in those terms?

“The thing about Bristol is the sheer diversity of artists, galleries and art spaces. As well as the admired traditional galleries there is a plethora of community run spaces, cooperatives, pop-ups etc.

“The artists of Bristol push the creative boundaries and there is always something exciting and innovative to see in the Bristol art scene, alongside the conventional and established work.”

Le Toile Studio

Stradling Collection

To what extent do Bristol’s eclectic range of galleries help to elevate its homegrown artists?

“There are a number of local and regional artists who are regularly supported and exhibited in the main stream galleries of Bristol, together with more famous national and international names.

“But there are also many small art spaces in Bristol, artists collectives and private collections that support emerging talent and give space for groundbreaking projects.”

Lime Tree Gallery

Martin Parr Foundation

What are your hopes for visitors coming across the Gallery Weekend, especially in terms of widening the audience for art?

“Most people will acknowledge a love of art but many are put off the contemporary art scene thinking it’s inaccessible or unaffordable. One of the many reasons for holding a gallery weekend is to show that art is for everyone. In fact, a number of events have been planned exactly to address this: activities for families and young people, tours and explanations, and opportunities to meet the artists and chat with them about their work.

“Of course artists love it when their work is purchased, but there will be no pressure to buy, and creative people also enjoy it when their work is viewed and appreciated.”

Bristol Gallery Weekend is at multiple venues on March 21-24. For details of all the events taking place, visit www.bristolgalleryweekend.org.uk or follow @bristolgalleryweekend on Insta.

All photos: Bristol Gallery Weekend (main photo shows Le Toile Studio)

Read more: Livingstone St Ives announces 2024 open call for artists

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