North Bristol Art Trail returns for its 21st year

Returning for its 21st year, the North Bristol Art Trail returns to Bishopston, Redland, Ashley, St Andrew’s, Horfield and Henleaze over the weekend of November 26-27.

This year’s event is called ‘Art from the Heart’, and will showcase the work of 110 amateur and professional artists, many of whom will be raising money for charity over the weekend through sales of art or refreshments.

Organisers are eager to emphasise that the experience of walking the trail is not just about buying art, but about looking, enjoying and engaging in the different processes of the many participating creatives.

Visitors are very welcome to visit, explore and meet the artists, as well as taking in the atmosphere, with many venues providing music along the way.

The work on show will be a mix of ceramics, textiles, jewellery, photography, sculpture, painting and prints.

Trail maps will be available to pick up from shops and cafes in the North Bristol area in the run-up to the weekend.

Ahead of the event, Bristol24/7 spoke to a few of the artists and asked them for their thoughts on what it means to be participating.

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Jenny Urquhart – painter

“The North Bristol Arts Trail is always really popular in Bristol, and it is particularly special to meet and chat to so many customers in person. As an artist, it’s a really important event in my calendar, and I always have masses of new paintings to share with people! Room 212 is always a busy gallery so I’m really looking forward to being there.”

True Hope is Swift, by Jenny Urquhart – photo: courtesy of the artist

Hemali Modha – contemporary artist

“I love to exhibit at home for the North Bristol Arts trail because it’s on my turf. Art lovers get a better idea of how work might look if it was on their own walls (and get to nosey around peoples homes).

“I find it far more relaxed and welcoming to invite people to see my art in my house. It feels more personal and i get to exhibit the work exactly as I’d like it to be seen. Generally, I get to have more engaging conversations with visitors, and in turn visitors often chat amongst themselves as it is more ‘homely’ and more like a community social.”

Hemali Modha – photo: courtesy of the artist

Toni Burrows – mosaic artist

“I’m especially looking forward to this year when I’ll be able to catch up with old friends, meet new people and share the work I’ve made since 2019. My house is full of my original art mosaics made from upcycled materials – covering every wall and some of the ceilings – so its very unusual!”

Toni Burrows with mosaic – photo: courtesy of the artist

Laurel Smart – abstract painter

“It’s such a treat to show my paintings where people can view them in ‘reality’; they look so much better than they do virtually. They are mainly large abstract canvases and visitors love to see them on a domestic wall and visualise them in their own homes.”

Laurel Smart with her work – photo: courtesy of the artist

Sarah Thorp – gallery owner and jewellery maker

“The North Bristol Art Trail is the high point of my year. It a great opportunity to show my new artwork and also a great social occasion and really fun. This year I’ll be launching a new range of my jewellery and some original paintings.

“I started my shop Room 212 on Gloucester Road 10 years ago because I love the vibe of the art trail so much I wanted to a year-round venue. I’ll be opening up the Room 212 studio and garden as a venue for myself and Jenny Urquhart. We’ll launch the weekend with a preview and charity fundraiser – everyone’s welcome!”

Sarah Thorp at Room 212 – photo: courtesy of the artist

Sue Pickering – mixed media artist

“It is great to be a part of such a well-established event in the Bristol art calendar. We love to see visitors coming back year after year, taking a real interest in our work. I’m part of a group of artists who are based at Horfield Baptist Church on Gloucester Road. We really enjoy being here, and we value the opportunity to support this important community venue.”

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Monica Cueller – painter

“I will be welcoming art viewers and collectors into my studio during the trail, also holding a preview on the Friday evening.

“My paintings are realistic and vibrant. I often use golden leaf as background to infuse a warming glow into the art pieces. Beautiful botanic scenes and wildlife are recurrent themes for me, although occasionally I let my inspiration take a different route. My work aims to transmit the emotions that I experience through observation of the natural world in all its nuances.”

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Lee Cox – ceramic artist

“Like many local artists, I work in my home studio alone, so showing with eight other artists in the inspirational public space, Future Leap, is wonderfully sociable and suits well. Their friendly helpful ethos, welcoming cafe and prominent position on Gloucester Road makes it a great venue for all nine of us NBA trailblazers!

“We’ll be welcoming people’s interest and showing a variety of handmade craft and art such as paintings, prints, ceramics, stained glass, polymer mosaics and jewellery. On the trail, people-handling, chatting about and taking pots I’ve made, to use every day or give to someone special as a present… that feels brilliant for me!”

Lee Cox talks to an Art Trail visitor at Future Leap – photo: courtesy of the artist

Art from the Heart: the North Bristol Art Trail is on November 26-27 at 10am-5pm. More information, including a full rundown of the artists, is available at www.northbristolartists.org.uk, or follow @northbristolartists on Insta.

Main photo: Jane Boot (‘Threatening Sky’)

Read more: Art on the Hill returns to Windmill Hill

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