People / My Bristol Favourites
My Bristol favourites: Michele Curtis
Michele Curtis is an artist and City of Bristol College student whose new exhibition recognises and celebrates some key figureheads of the St Paul’s community. The Seven Saints of St Paul’s will be held at The Lodge in St Agnes Park from June 29 to July 4, and will feature charcoal and graphite portraits and biographies of the seven founders of the St Paul’s Carnival.
Here are Michele’s top-five Bristol favourites:
St Paul’s Carnival
is needed now More than ever
“I absolutely love the St Paul’s Carnival. For me it is truly the one day of the year that I have off and enjoy some well-deserved family time. I have been attending the carnival for as long as I can remember and it has always been a family affair. As a child I remember going to sit on the wall in Easton where Warwick Road meets Lower Ashley Road with my parents and younger brother and other Eastonians waiting to watch my older siblings pass by dancing and singing on floats in colourful costumes and everyone waving and cheering. My mother always used to cook lots of food from Jamaican jerk chicken to sweet potato pudding, because family members from London would travel to Bristol especially to attend the Carnival. I have nothing but fantastic memories!”
Arnolfini
“I love the Arnolfini. In fact, I love being around water and in it; I think I was a mermaid in a previous life! The exhibitions and the talks the Arnolfini host are great. But my most favourite things about the Arnolfini are their fantastic cafe and the amazing bookshop. I could live there!”
St Agnes Park
“St Agnes Park is such a beautiful green space in St Paul’s. I used to go there as a child and now I carry my child there. The adventure playground (above) is an iconic landmark in the area and is such a significant part of the community. The lodge in the park is such a beautiful space. I held my first exhibition Iconic Black Bristolians there in October 2014. It will be a shame to see it leave the community.”
Eastville Park
“I’m a simple soul; I love green spaces and the water and Eastville Park is another one of my favourite places, especially the lake with the ducks and swans. I love it there. It’s such a peaceful and serene place. It’s like an oasis in the middle of the city which is bizarre because it is located right next to the M32. But when I’m there I hear nothing but the rustling of leaves in the trees, birds singing, ducks quacking, children laughing and the gentle motion of the delicate ripples in the pond. Simply beautiful!”
Boston Tea Party
“My son and I love Boston’s, especially the Whiteladies Road branch which is actually my son’s favourite place. Great food, great smoothies and milkshakes, and great service. Definitely our favourite place to hang out and talk about his long hard day at school.”