Art / Circular ArtSpace
Circular ArtSpace transforms bus into an affordable exhibition space
Bristol is a city of artists, and yet for many, finding properly managed gallery space in which to show their work can be a challenge.
The community project Circular ArtSpace aims to change that, offering an affordable and inclusive community space for artists to be seen.
Based in the car park of The Crafty Egg, Fishponds, where they host a monthly art and craft market for independent traders, they have also transformed a double decker bus into an exhibition space.
is needed now More than ever
Top deck of bus
The unique space can accommodate up to 28 artists at any given time (based on 24 two dimensional artworks and four sculptural or ceramic pieces), and works will be displayed on a four-week rotational basis.
Guglielmo Ardizzone is the project manager, and is hopeful that the initiative will become a landmark for the artistic community: “Our art programme will include exhibitions, masterclasses, workshops and more.
“We will show the creativity of the many emergent, under-represented artists that are struggling to find an exhibition place.”
Ground floor of bus
The team is also proposing to create a long-term, semi-permanent exhibition space in Eastville Park, in the Green Square area – based within two cargo containers to show artworks, host workshops using recycled materials, and sell goods.
“Art is for everybody,” they assert. “Art is made by everyone.
“The ArtSpace is a space for the whole community. One of the missions of the ArtSpace is equality, and the art fairs will be inclusive and will be run to give access and use to everybody. In this way the ArtSpace will positively impact the whole community.”
Photo: Circular ArtSpace
The Circular Artspace inaugural Annual Members Exhibition is open until January 28 on the bus in the carpark of the Crafty Egg, Fishponds, where an Outdoor Art Market will also be run on the first Saturday of the month, 10am-4pm, free entry. For more information about the project, visit www.circularartspace.co.uk.
All photos: Circular ArtSpace
Read more: Bristol artist Emily Gibbard launches crowdfunder for giant ceramic totem sculptures
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