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Open Studios is a once-a-year chance to go behind the scenes at Spike Island – a former Brooke Bond tea-packing factory, now an international centre for contemporary art. Home to over 70 artists’ studios, Spike Print Studio, UWE Bristol Fine Art, as well as many other creative practitioners including designers, filmmakers, architects, animators and photographers, Spike Island is a key contributor to the cultural life of Bristol and the South West.
This hugely popular annual event gives you access to explore the studios, see works-in-progress, learn about different creative processes, and buy unique work directly from the artists. The family-friendly programme includes events, performances and workshops for you to test your own creative skills and experience artists’ ideas first-hand. In Spike Island’s galleries, discover major exhibitions of contemporary art by international and South West-based artists.
A range of Bristol street food traders host pop-up kitchens across the site, alongside our delicious café Emmeline, to fuel your Open Studios visit. With surprises around every corner, this annual event is an unmissable chance to discover, celebrate and support Spike Island’s dynamic artistic community.
As part of Spike Island Open Studios, UWE Bristol Fine Art students will host live art and experimental music performances, workshops, exhibitions, and a listening post, Broadcasting Intimacy: a sonic encounter. Find out more.
Please note: This year’s Open Studios does not include Bank Holiday Monday 1 May 2023.
Friday 28 April (Preview night)
INSTALLATION: ECO|CON A GAME OF ECOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCES
6–9pm, Corridor by Studio 91
ECO|CON is a co-curated project exploring how art can draw attention to the precarious dimensions of human and more-than-human encounters.
CONVERSATION
6–9pm, Wall opposite Studio 39
A glimpse of the long-term creative exchange between artists Kamina Walton and Carol Laidler, exploring the experience of their own bodies and the politics of representation.
UWE STUDENT EXHIBITION
6–9pm, UWE Fine Art Studios
See work created by current students from across UWE Fine Art programmes. Find out more
SONIC ENCOUNTER: BROADCASTING INTIMACY
6-9pm, UWE Fine Art Studios
SCRR-B has commissioned a curated playlist by UWE alumna Deirdre Canavan, presented by Street Corner Reading Rooms, Bristol. Find out more
WORKSHOP: THERE ARE TIDES IN THE BODY
6.30–7.10pm, Studio 19
Join Bryony Gillard and Conway and Young for live screen poster printing using tidal mud from the Avon Cut.
PERFORMANCE: SOFT EDGE
6.30–7pm, Associates Space
A live audio-visual piece comprising generative soundscapes and experimental electronic drums, performed by Soft Edge, aka George Pettengell.
PERFORMANCE
7–7.30pm, Associates Space
A performance by Oscar Burns and Molly Mogul, combining live music, electronic soundscapes and expressive dance.
CLOSING PROCESSION: WE WERE BORN TO LEARN WE WERE BORN TO GROW
7.30–8.15pm
Lead artist Kit Poulson and UWE Bristol Fine Art students showcase a procession throughout the building, ending with a sound performance in the UWE Bristol Fine Art studios.
PERFORMANCE: THE FIGHT
8.15pm, UWE Fine Art Studios
A stand-up performance by Catherine White.
Please note: Entry to the preview is free, but booking is advised.
Book your place for the preview
Saturday 29 April
SOUND INSTALLATION: JOSEPH DE SOUSA
All day, First floor staircase (‘S’ on map)
An interactive sound installation looping sounds recorded live.
INSTALLATION: ECO|CON A GAME OF ECOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCES
All day, Corridor by Studio 91
ECO|CON is a co-curated project exploring how art can draw attention to the precarious dimensions of human and more-than-human encounters.
CONVERSATION
All day, Wall opposite Studio 39
A glimpse of the long-term creative exchange between artists Kamina Walton and Carol Laidler, exploring the experience of their own bodies and the politics of representation.
UWE STUDENT EXHIBITION
All day, UWE Fine Art Studios
See work created by current students from across UWE Fine Art programmes. Find out more
SONIC ENCOUNTER: BROADCASTING INTIMACY
All day, UWE Fine Art Studios
SCRR-B has commissioned a curated playlist by UWE alumna Deirdre Canavan, presented by Street Corner Reading Rooms, Bristol. Find out more
WORKSHOP: PAPER MAKING
11am–12pm, UWE Fine Art Studios
A paper making workshop with Nel Bandy and Katya Hall.
KIDS WORKSHOP: DREAM AND MAKE
11am–1pm, Associates Space
Laura Phillimore holds a drop-in session of discovery based, creative activities.
WORKSHOP: THE PORCELAIN ROSE
12–4pm, Outside studio 108.2
David Alesworth leads a series of 45-minute sessions for visitors to make their own small Rose sculpture in clay (ages 12+).
1-2-1 CREATIVE DROP-INS
12–4pm, Studio 21
An invitation to have a 1-2-1 with artist, lecturer and mentor Philippa Lawrence to discuss an artistic project, get advice or have an informal conversation about art.
WORKSHOP: FATED POETRY
1–2pm, UWE Fine Art Studios
A poetry workshop with Taliesin Fox.
IN-CONVERSATION
1–2pm, UWE Fine Art Studios
Broadcasting Intimacy sound artist Alice Boyd, audio producer Eliza Lomas, and researcher Deirdre Canavan discuss our relationship to sound, our ability to communicate from the margins, and the mediums by which we navigate this.
DEMONSTRATION: ENGRAVING AND LETTERPRESS
1–3pm, Spike Print Studio
Printmaker Fiona Hamilton leads a demonstration of wood engraving and letterpress techniques.
TALK: IN THE MANNER IN WHICH IT APPEARS
1.30–2.30pm, Associates Space
Colin Higginson, Noor-e-Sehar Ali and Luke “Luca” Cockayne to reflect on their publication, In the Manner in Which it Appears, with selected readings.
READINGS
2–2.10pm, Studio 44
Join Harriet Bowman for a series of experimental readings.
WORKSHOP: PLACE PORTRAITS: WEAVING CONNECTIONS
2–3pm, Residency Studio
Anna Haydock-Wilson and Caitlin Dawkes give an experimental weaving workshop, creating a studio-based installation.
DROP-IN CONVERSATIONS: STUDYING FINE ART
2–4pm, Common room, UWE Studios
Chat to Senior Lecturers in Fine Art Huma Mulji and Steven Paige about UWE Bristol’s BA and MA Fine Art Programmes. Find out more
WORKSHOP: THERE ARE TIDES IN THE BODY
2.30–3.30pm, Studio 19
Join Bryony Gillard and Conway and Young for live poster printing using tidal mud from the Avon Cut.
PERFORMANCE: IN MY SKIN
3pm, 3.30pm and 4pm, Studio 77
Kamina Walton performs from her new work, in my skin, an exploration of the body as site for maternal grief, mother/daughter relationships, ageing and the powerful female form. Created for an audience of one. Lasting 10 minutes each.
WORKSHOP: FINDING SPACES WITH CLAY – MATERIAL MATTERS
3–4pm, UWE Fine Art Studios
A clay workshop with Araminta Rae.
FILM: PLACE PORTRAITS
3.15–3.45pm, Associates Space
Anna Haydock-Wilson, Caitlin Dawkes, Ryan Convery-Moroney and Tsipora St. Clair Knights host a screening and Q&A.
TALK: POLITICS OF BODILY WASTE
4–5pm, Studio 80a
Bryony Gillard hosts an informal conversation on the politics of bodily waste.
TALK: EAK EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE
4–5pm, Associates Space
An associative, semi-instructional, semi-improvisational, illustrated lecture by EAK Educational Institute.
ONLINE BROADCAST: BROADCASTING INTIMACY
4–5pm, Listen on https://noodsradio.com
Curated by alumni Deirdre Canavan, a selection of the Broadcasting Intimacy playlist will play as a one-hour live broadcast on Noods Radio. Find out more
Sunday 30 April
SOUND INSTALLATION: JOSEPH DE SOUSA
All day, First floor staircase (‘S’ on map)
An interactive sound installation looping sounds recorded live.
INSTALLATION: ECO|CON A GAME OF ECOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCES
All day, Corridor by Studio 91
ECO|CON is a co-curated project exploring how art can draw attention to the precarious dimensions of human and more-than-human encounters.
CONVERSATION
All day, Wall opposite Studio 39
A glimpse of the long-term creative exchange between artists Kamina Walton and Carol Laidler, exploring the experience of their own bodies and the politics of representation.
UWE STUDENT EXHIBITION
All day, UWE Fine Art Studios
See work created by current students from across UWE Fine Art programmes. Find out more
SONIC ENCOUNTER: BROADCASTING INTIMACY
All day, UWE Fine Art Studios
SCRR-B has commissioned a curated playlist by UWE alumna Deirdre Canavan, presented by Street Corner Reading Rooms, Bristol. Find out more
INSTALLATION: HOW WAS THE BIRTH?
All day, Loading Bay
Exploring birth experiences and bodily autonomy in medical settings, attendees are invited to add their own words to a growing installation on a vintage medical screen by artist Ellie Shipman.
WORKSHOP: SUMINAGASHI PRINT MAKING
11am–12pm, UWE Fine Art Studios
Print making workshop with Jake Cooper.
WORKSHOP: CLAY MAKING
11am–1pm, Associates Space
Tina Salvidge and Emma MD, a.k.a Timewasters hold a clay workshop, discussing the ceramic and digital products we rely on every day.
1-2-1 CREATIVE DROP-INS
12–4pm, Studio 21
An invitation to have a 1-2-1 with artist, lecturer and mentor Philippa Lawrence to discuss an artistic project, get advice or have an informal conversation about art.
WORKSHOP: SOUND AND MARK MAKING
1–2pm, UWE Fine Art Studios
Sound and mark making workshop with Oscar Burns.
WORKSHOP: ARTIST BOOKS AND ZINE MAKING
1.30–3pm, Associates Space
Join artist Erin Donnelly for a drop-in workshop.
READINGS
2–2.10pm, Studio 44
Join studio artist Harriet Bowman for a series of experimental readings.
WORKSHOP: PLACE PORTRAITS: PRINTMAKING
2–3pm, Residency Studio
Learn how to make simple monoprints from everyday objects with Anna Haydock-Wilson. Bring leaves or street treasures to print onto cards and fabrics.
PERFORMANCE: DIGGING DEEP, VESSELS AND LULLABIES OF MOURNING
2–3pm, Studio 98
A performance-writing exchange exploring ecologies of grief, care and desire between artists Jack Young and Veronica Vickery, followed by informal discussion.
DROP-IN CONVERSATIONS: STUDYING FINE ART
2–4pm, Common room, UWE Studios
Chat to Senior Lecturers in Fine Art Huma Mulji and Steven Paige about UWE Bristol’s BA and MA Fine Art Programmes. Find out more
WORKSHOP: THERE ARE TIDES IN THE BODY
2.30–3.30pm, Studio 19
Live poster edition screen printing using tidal mud from the Avon Cut with studio artists Bryony Gillard and Conway and Young.
PERFORMANCE: IN MY SKIN
3pm, 3.30pm and 4pm, Studio 77
Kamina Walton performs from her new work, in my skin, an exploration of the body as site for maternal grief, mother/daughter relationships, ageing and the powerful female form. Created for an audience of one. Lasting 10 minutes each.
FILM: LAZINESS IN CUBA
4.15–4.45pm, Associates Space
Screening of ‘Laziness in Cuba’, by Havana based artist and director Kevin Avila, produced by Florrie James and the Handsome Stranger production company.
Opening Hours
