Jamaica Street Open Studios returns

The ever-popular Jamaica Street Open Studios is back on July 8-10 with a packed schedule that features a launch event, an afterparty, an art raffle, and a fundraising auction with something for all price-points.

It’s a welcome return for the event that celebrates Bristol artists, as well as raising funds to keep this vital studio space both alive, and thriving, for the many creatives that work at Jamaica Street Studios.

There will be a chance to browse, to purchase original, affordable artworks, to look behind the scenes and to chat with artists about their process.

For many visitors, the opportunity to explore the building layout itself – now home to over 30 artists – is key to the allure of the event

Bristol24/7 asked some of the artists exhibiting to describe their work, their history with Jamaica Street Studios, and what they might be showing across the weekend.

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Dave Bain – illustrator and muralist working with pencil and paper for sketching, a range of paints for murals, and Procreate and Photoshop for digital finish

“A lot of my work features stylised characters, dynamic compositions and bold, flat colours. At the Open Studios, I’ll have some of my recent prints available and maybe one or two special surprises exclusively for visitors.

“I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve visited the studios, either for their open weekends or just to catch up with friends. It’s such a wonderful building filled with incredibly talented artists, so I was delighted to be accepted to be part of its community.

“I’ve always enjoyed being part of the city’s sprawling creative family. I’ve been doing my bit by hosting an industry meet-up called ‘Pip’, bringing together local illustrators to encourage a valued supportive network.”

Dave Bain, Gallimaufry mural – photo: James Koch

Illustration by Dave Bain – photo: Ruby Turner

Jess Knights – textural and digital illustrator using paint, pens, pastels and collage and illustration software

“My illustrations come from the starting point of having an in-depth conversation with someone, and fully understanding their story as best I can. I’m inspired by us coming together and socialising, staying healthy and protecting the planet. I convey my message through drawing objects and things. My work is ultimately about people connecting with other people.

“I don’t want to give anything away about what I’ll be doing at Open Studios so you’ll have to come and see for yourselves. All I’m saying is – I’m using the weekend as an opportunity to test some stuff that I’ve been wanting to make for ages, working on a larger scale than ever with some new, more tactile pieces.

“I was first introduced to the Jamaica Street Studios community by Dave Bain (my studio buddy) at an Association of Illustrators event. He’s been bringing together and connecting creatives from all walks of life in Bristol since 2006. Maybe he saw me as a (relatively) young’un coming up and saw that I wanted to do the same. And the rest is history!”

Jess Knights in her studio – photo: Ruby Turner

Illustration by Jess Knights – photo: courtesy of the artist

Hemali Modha – artist working I acrylic, ink, collage, mixed media and digital

“Having returned to art just a few years ago, I’m still at the early stages of my art career – I think the term is ‘emerging artist‘ but also, because I work across several mediums I’d be defined as a multi-disciplined artist.

“Much of my work would best be described as abstract expressionism and the subject matter around the new work is florals – both digital and painted. The work has got bigger and I’ve started painting on canvas as well as board and paper.

“‘Jam St’ has been my coveted artist studio ever since I moved to Bristol in ‘94. Over the years I’ve visited the Open Studios and got a real buzz from being in this arty environment. An opportunity arose at the beginning of this year to take a studio on the 1st floor which was one not to be missed. I love being surrounded by other artists and the space and light in the studio is fantastic. Stokes Croft itself is such a diverse and colourful community. It’s difficult not to be influenced by that energy.”

Hemali Modha in her studio – photo: courtesy of Jamaica Street Studios

Summer Beach by Hemali Modha – photo: courtesy of the artist

Dorcas Casey – sculptor working in fabric, ceramics, bronze, jesmonite, concrete and found objects

“At this year’s Open Studios I will be showing some of my new ceramic work. Recently I’ve been experimenting with making ceramic sculptures with the support of an Arts Council Grant. I’ve also been making human heads, as well as small animals. And I’ll be showing a piece that I exhibited in the British Ceramics Biennial – it’s a little wolf standing over two piles of earth made out of black clay.

“I’ve been learning to cast bronze thanks to a Qest scholarship which has funded me to visit sculptor Ian Middleton in his studio and learn traditional bronze casting techniques, so I’ll hopefully be showing some of the new bronzes I’ve cast too.

“I used to visit Jamaica Street Studios before I moved to Bristol as my friend, Abby Reed, had a studio here. I loved the old building with its atmospheric cage lift and huge old windows looking out over Stokes Croft. Artists studios situated right in the heart of the city are very rare. I moved into an open-plan space on the first floor in 2016 as I needed some space to spread out and make two life-sized horses for Banksy’s Dismaland. There is a lovely community of artists at JSS so I’ve been here ever since.

“I won the 2021 ACS Studio Prize which has enabled me to move up to the second floor to a bigger space with a work bench where it’s easier for me to work on big messy sculpture. I love working somewhere that’s vibrant and busy day and night. There’s a wildness in Stokes Croft that I like being around. I grew up in Glastonbury and it reminds me of home. It’s always busy and noisy so I feel connected to the city even if I’m working on something quiet and solitary. I hope it always stays that way.”

Dorcas Casey in her studio – photo: Ruby Turner

Wolf by Dorcas Casey – photo: courtesy of the artist

Elaine Jones – abstract painter and landscape artist, working in oils on board or canvas

“My paintings evolve gradually. Multiple layers are created until the painting resolves itself, balancing colour, depth and form. I brush, pour, drip and scrape the paint across the surface of my work. My process embraces various techniques, often painting on the floor.

“Over the years my work has become more representational and evocative of nature. The landscapes that I visit on my travels, including the beloved places in Devon and Cornwall I often visit again and again, greatly influence my compositions.

“I allow the paint the freedom to dictate its own journey and composition, because my works is very much about process and paint, fluidity and freedom alongside a celebration of the beauty of our natural world. The hope is that it will always be our sanctuary as long as we protect it.

“Alongside my seascapes, I will be exhibiting some slightly different paintings at this year’s Open Studios. I have been working on some new tree paintings, influenced by drawings that I made of the Scots pine and other native trees in the South Hams and the South of France.

“I have been trying to create a balance between the representation of my drawings whilst maintaining the loose abstract forms indicative of my work. It is tricky trying to to create shapes which appear spontaneous, energetic and accidental, almost vertical splurges against the horizon.

“I have been based at Jamaica Street for more than 20 years. I think I have stayed here so long because it has such an amazing sense of community. Jamaica Street Studios is a really vibrant creative space, and a very busy studio with amazing light. Many artists here work full time and we have a process of encouraging artists to use their space regularly.

“There is a great balance of artists, too. New graduates add fresh dynamics to the studio and in return can get advice and encouragement from more established practitioners. When I first arrived here, I was fresh out of university and new to the city. I think that it is very special to find yourself immersed within so many like-minded people. It was invaluable being able to learn and be mentored by more experienced studio members at the time.

“Jamaica Street Studios now offers a subsidised residency space for new artists with the aim to provide affordable work space and support to help them further their artwork and begin their careers.”

Elaine Jones in her studio – photo: Alice Hendy

Elaine Jones, Beach Tree and Rock Pools with Tree – photo: Elaine Jones

Jamaica Street Open Studios 2022 starts on July 8 with a launch night from 7-11pm, and an after party 10.30pm-late at Jamaica Street Stores. The studios are open from 11am-5pm over the weekend, with the art auction returning on July 10 at 4pm. For more information, visit www.jamaicastreetstudios.co.uk.

Main photo: Dave Bain in his studio, by Ruby Turner

Read more: Jamaica Street Studios: Open Studios 2019

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