Art / Acta Theatre
Preview: Southbank Arts Trail
Bristol’s long, fruitful neighbourhood art trails calendar begins in May each year – and it begins in some style with one of the biggest, oldest and most consistently adventurous of the dozen-odd annual trails, Southville and Bedminster’s Southbank.
Over 150 artists and makers will be sharing their work with the public at this year’s Southbank Arts Trail, which returns for its 15th instalment this month. Visitors to BS3 will find a network of shows, installations and exhibitions displayed in over 45 private homes and public spaces across Southville, Bedminster and Ashton, as well as a programme of workshops and live performances. Work on view ranges from fine art to street art and from prints, drawings and sculpture to ceramics, textiles, photography, jewellery, glass, bespoke furniture, music and theatre.
Sue Gruffyd and her Bagladies
Over 25 homes serve as temporary galleries for the weekend, with exhibiting artists including ceramic designer Joanna Rose Boyd; Sue Gruffydd and her ‘Bagladies’ made from plastic bags and papier-mâché; Jonathan Rolfe with his original prints featuring urban architecture, Angie Parker and her hand-woven floor art; Ruth Broadway’s beautiful prints – and Roy Gallop, whose renowned ‘Wonky House’ workshop features mechanical toys for children of all ages, as well as a human jukebox.
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Elsewhere, this year’s Southbank will feature mixed, market-place shows in over 20 public spaces, including the Tobacco Factory, the Southville Centre and the Southbank Club, as well as local churches and more unusual venues such as Margot May Tea Rooms and the Steam Crane pub. Local schools will be showing students’ artwork with a Dreams theme, and Ashton Park students will be exhibiting in a brand new venue, The Ashton Gatehouse.
Ruth Broadway
Performance will be split over several venues: acta theatre will be hosting school performances on Saturday, as well as their own theatre workshop; St Francis Church will host several local choirs over the weekend; and the Tobacco Factory and Southbank Club will both open up their stages for an eclectic (and free) programme of live music across the weekend.
Joanna Rose Boyd
Kids can get stuck into a variety of workshops from local groups Launchpad and Let’s Make Art and there will be a sewing theme at St Francis Church, with the The Bristol Stitchery in residence all weekend. Family theatre troupe Brave Bold Drama will fill Margot May Tea Rooms with theatre, and you’ll find intimate back-garden concerts at 8 Hamilton Road.
Says trail organiser Ruth Ander: “Visitors can either carefully plan their visit or take pot luck and wander the streets of Bedminster, Ashton and Southville – they’re sure to find something interesting and inspiring!”
Southbank Bristol Arts Trail Saturday, May 13 and Sunday, May 14. For more info on all participating artists and venues, visit www.southbankbristolarts.co.uk/artist-profiles
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