Bristol's art trails and open studios

Bristol Arts Trails and Open Studios

Bristol's popular and evergrowing arts trails and open studios weekends take place throughout the year offering a unique opportunity to view and buy original works of arts and crafts directly from the artist. It is also the chance to explore some of our diverse neighbourhoods at a relaxed pace. Who knows - you may even meet some new friends!

Front Room Art Trail

Various locations, Totterdown.

Front Room (www.frontroom.org.uk) was the first art trail to appear in Bristol and boasts a host of professional and amateur artists working in a wide variety of mediums. Move from finely woven textiles to bold and brash installation art, delve into the fascinating history of Totterdown or catch live performances in the local pubs. Visitors will be encouraged to leave the car at home and to meander from house to house, guaranteed of a warm welcome from local artists and residents.

Jamaica Street Studios

39 Jamaica Street, Bristol, BS2 8JP

Bristol’s Jamaica Street Studios (www.jamaicastreetartists.co.uk) throw open their doors for their Open Studios exhibition. Situated in the heart of the Stokes Croft area, these are the largest artist-led studios in the South West. This popular annual event features a variety of artwork, including paintings, printmaking, textiles, photography, sculpture and illustration.  Many of the artists have exhibited nationally and internationally. 

Mivart Open Studios

Mivart Street, Easton

Mivart Studios (www.mivartartists.co.uk) is the largest and most eclectic of the city's studios, hosting a wealth of visual, performing and musical arts. The vast Victorian brick studios are situated amidst a multi-cultural and bustling residential area of Bristol and provides affordable long let studios and exhibition spaces to showcase work. The studios have regular open studio programmes.

Montpelier Art Trail

Various locations, Montpelier and St. Pauls

The Montpelier Art Trail kick-starts the art trail season in early May, taking the living rooms, cafes, pubs, streets and other spaces of the Montpelier & St Pauls area and turning them into galleries, exhibition spaces and theatres.  The trail features a diverse range of arts, crafts, performances, films and workshops, set within one easy walking area.  The huge range of artwork on display has something to suit all tastes - conservative to radical, quirky to bizarre. So come and have great fun while browsing through some wonderful (and very affordable) art.

For more information and a map of the trail visit  www.bristolartfringe.org.

North Bristol Arts Trail

Various locations, North Bristol.

The North Bristol Art Trail sees numerous venues open to display and sell artwork from professional and semi professional artists in north Bristol, including painters, printmakers, sculptors, potters and jewellers.  Taking place just before Christmas, the trail is the perfect opportunity to buy that special present too.  Areas covered by the trail include Bishopston, St. Andrews, Horfield and Montpelier to name but a few - a detailed Trail Map will be available nearer the time. 

For more information visit northbristolartists.org.uk.

Severn Vale Open Studios Arts Trail

Various locations in Thornbury

The Severn Vale Open Studios provides both established and emerging artists working across South Gloucestershire with an opportunity to present their artworks to new audiences. Visitors will be able to meet artists in their studio, chat to them about their work and buy high quality art at affordable prices. The event features artworks in oil, watercolour and pastels, prints and drawings, jewellery and ceramics, sculpture and installation art - so there is something for everyone!  The event is being hosted as part of the Thornbury Arts Festival (www.thornburyartsfestival.com). 

Southbank Arts Trail

Various locations, South Bristol

Southbank Bristol Arts (SBA) have been organising an Arts Trail in the communities of Southville, Bedminster and Ashton for seven years now.  The Arts Trail is the largest of the events organised by the SBA, where artists come together to put on a great weekend of visual arts and performance, with people opening their homes to the public and schools and venues in the area showing work and hosting various activities.  Find out more at www.sbaweb.co.uk.

The Albion Open Studio

Units 1 &2 Albion Dockside, Hanover Place, Bristol BS1 6UT

Studio Upstairs (www.studioupstairs.org.uk) is at heart a community for the arts – painting, drawing, 3D work, writing and music. Members meet to develop their creative work in a non-institutional setting , where making art is linked to the therapeutic process of feeling more alive and more socially integrated. The organisation has regular open days. For more information visit.

West Bristol Arts Trail (WBAT)

Various locations, Clifton, Hotwells, Redland and Spike Island

The West Bristol Arts Trail (WBAT) takes place annually over a weekend in mid October. This area is known for it's designer boutiques, bistro style restaurants and iconic Suspension Bridge. Exhibits range from 2D and 3D textile art to sculptural pottery, from figurative and abstract multi-media paintings to delicate jewellery and enamels. Site maps are available at www.westbristolarts.com or you can pick one up from artist's venues on your arrival in Clifton Village. Clifton is easily accessible on the number 8 bus from Bristol City centre and Temple meads railway station or the number 9 from Cotham, Redland and The Downs.