Bristol’s art trails: the busiest weekend of the year

Pictured above: Derby Rd by Nick Gerolemou, a regular exhibitor on the North Bristol Art Trail

It may be getting cold out there, but art lovers got two very good reasons to get out and about this month – the annual return of two of Bristol’s oldest and biggest neighbourhood art trails, taking place this year on the very same weekend.

Totterdown’s Front Room, the city’s oldest and biggest trail, returns with a nautical themed weekend of art, entertainment and fun.

“Historically, Bristol’s fortunes have been won and lost at sea and we wanted to celebrate our city’s connection with the great blue in the overriding theme of this year’s Trail,” explains artist, exhibitor and co-organiser Kim Hall. “Visitors can expect to encounter pirates, buried treasure and many nautically-inspired games amongst all the fantastic art.

As Bristol’s longest-running arts trail, we’ve witnessed a rise in visitor and artist numbers over the years as well as a profound strengthening of our tight-knit community,” Kim continues. “In the past few years we’ve levelled off, with participating artist numbers consistently at around 130. We’re proud to have reached a reliable standard of art and entertainment and it is precisely this that guarantees so many visitors, from near and far.

Art trails aren’t just about the art… Totterdown Apothecary is among the eclectic mix of exhibitors at Totterdown’s Front Room trail

Artists exhibiting this year include Paly Glass, who creates unique decorative homewares featuring hand-cut glass and foiled copper; Totterdown Apothecary, a range of handmade, natural skincare crafted from ethically sourced ingredients; and Amy Vans, whose paintings reflect places and people she has known. “The vibrant art scene of Barcelona and the intensity and richness of India fuelled my passion for colour,” Amy explains. “I work spontaneously experimenting with colour, texture and depth. I paint what’s in my head, the image develops in the creative process.”

Intricate glassware by Front Room exhibitor Paly Glass

Taking place on the same weekend this year is the similarly extensive and long-running North Bristol Art Trail, in which over 100 artists exhibit their work in homes and venues across Montpelier, St Andrews, Ashley Down, Bishopston, Horfield, Henleaze and Redland.

“The calibre of artists’ work has always been extremely high, but many of our exhibitors who were just dipping their toes in the water when we launched 15 years ago are now established Bristol artists,” explains exhibitor Sarah Thorp, whose new bar/gallery Alchemy 198 opens in time for this year’s Trail.

‘Bristol Pound Fox’ by North Bristol Art Trail exhibitor Mary Collett

“National events such as the Gromit Unleashed trail have really helped raise the profile of our established artists like Jenny Urquhart and Katie Wallis, along with newcomer Rhiannon Southwell. North Bristol Artists have their work permanently featured at Bristol Temple Meads and are often selected for the group shows at the Royal West of England Academy.

Alchemy necklace by North Bristol exhibitor Katie Johnston

“Importantly, over the past five years the Bishopston section of Gloucester Road, now known as Glos Rd Central, has gained a far-reaching reputation as the go to place for original local artwork,” Sarah continues. “Room 212, Fig and Artemis all show work by North Bristol Artists and church halls on this part of the road are also venues for big groups of artists, showing a wide range of artwork from prints to jewellery and ceramics.”

So, November 24-25: get the dates in the diary, dig out the A-Z (or find trail maps at participating venues or online) and sample some of the very best of Bristol’s creative neighbourhoods.

Front Room Nov 24-25, 12-6pm, plus preview evening Fri 23, 7-9pm. For more info, visit www.frontroom.org.uk
North Bristol Art Trail Nov 24-25, 10am-6pm plus preview evening Fri 23. For more info, visit www.northbristolartists.org.uk/trail

Read more: Preview: Sightings (Caraboo Projects, Bedminster)