Preview: Art on the Hill 2018

Greater Bedminster is a great place for the arts. We have Upfest, two annual Open Studios events (BV Studios and Estate of the Arts) and three neighbourhood arts trails. Here in Windmill Hill and Victoria Park, our own trail, Art on the Hill, takes place on the first weekend in October.

Bristol arts trails are two-day local festivals of visual and performance arts. Compared with some, Art on the Hill is quite compact, covering about half mile across in each direction. Our 40 venues are walkable for anyone with average mobility, although there are some steep hills. Those with limited mobility could visit a community venue or find several small venues in adjacent streets. Many, though not all, are disability-accessible.

Victoria Park is a beautiful urban park, straddling a hill in Bedminster. Along with Windmill Hill, it is also the name of a residential area of Victorian and Edwardian terraced housing flanking the park. The two areas have a common identity, united by the park.

Over the two days, Art on the Hill offers a wide and exciting range of visual arts, performances and participatory workshops. Visitors come from all over Bristol and beyond.

Work by Art on the Hill exhibitor Helen Perry

Visual arts and craftwork on display include painting, drawing, photography, printing, ceramics, glasswork, jewellery, textiles and much more. Many artists exhibit in our own homes, creating a sense of intimacy that is often absent in formal galleries while visitors often enjoy seeing inside these old houses.

Other artists exhibit in our public venues: Windmill Hill Community Centre, two churches, the small Off-Centre Gallery and The Victoria Park pub. These venues have their own ambience with several artists exhibiting side by side.

Photography by AOTH exhibitor Samantha Gilraine

Most of us are present in our venue for the duration of the trail. We love to talk with visitors about our work and many of us have work for sale.

Performing arts play a major part in the trail. You can drop in to the Community Centre during both afternoons for music, dance and poetry of many genres and traditions. Many performers are based locally and you may be able to buy CDs of their work. You may also find performances happening at other venues.

On Saturday evening we host a free “Nearly Unplugged” concert of music and performance poetry at the  Community Centre. This is also a drop-in event with a bar and hot food. Display boards there will show a list of performers throughout the weekend.

We have an entertaining programme of participatory art, music, poetry and drama workshops, for adults and for children at Victoria Park Baptist Church. No advance booking is needed. Check when they are on, turn up and have fun taking part.

Photography by Stephen Mason

Food, too, is art. A variety of delicious cold snacks and beverages will be available during the day at the Community Centre with a vegetarian curry and a bar at the evening concert. The Windmill and Victoria Park pubs sell hot and cold food while some other venues sell home made cakes, snacks and beverages.

Parking is very limited in the trail area. If possible, please leave it for residents and for blue badge holders. There is some parking in nearby streets and car parks. Local trains stop at Bedminster and buses 75,76 and 90 stop nearby on both days.

Our beautiful brochure booklet is itself a work of art, designed this year by local artist Sophie Swindells. It will be available before and during the weekend.

Come and join us over the weekend and see some beautiful art in a beautiful part of Bristol.

Art on the Hill: The Windmill Hill and Victoria Park Arts Trail takkes place on Oct 6 & 7 from 11am-5pm, with a free concert on Saturday evening. For more information, visit www.artonthehill.org.uk

Pictured top: artwork by Emily Gibbard. Stephen Mason is a photographer and Art on the Hill exhibitor.