Art / BV Studios
The little-known and fascinating world of Bedminster’s BV Studios
There is a long, low building south of the river that occupies two-thirds of Philip Street in Bedminster. And within, just down the road from Asda and opposite Windmill Hill City Farm, is Bristol’s largest independent artists’ studios.
Extraordinary to those in the know, but relatively anonymous to passers-by, the building is host to an eclectic community of over one hundred artists and creative small businesses, occupying three levels of the former printers of Viz and 2000AD comics and The Big Issue magazine.
Entrepreneur owner and landlord Robert Anderson understood both the business opportunity and the need for decent affordable studios for artists who, out of necessity, migrate to the margins of a city. Robert has an enduring relationship with the arts and comes from a family with historic creative connections to Bristol.
is needed now More than ever
So, in 2007, with the help and vision of artist Penny Jones, Robert bought and renovated the building. Three years later, the first phase of the huge empty space was ready and before the newly plastered walls were dry, the artists began to move in. A jubilant inaugural open studio event in 2010 signalled the beginning of a new creative community.
Detail from Wave by BV Studios resident Angie Parker
Nowadays, arriving at the door to BV Studios you will experience the unexpected sounds usually associated with more rural locations, reminding us of our place in nature and perhaps responsible for the calm ambience inside the building.
The studio culture is egalitarian, with no hierarchy. It is a good place to work and think. The community, like any organism, is in constant flux: artists take sabbaticals, travel to residencies, move away or exhibit in far away places. There is a lot of quiet coming and going.
At any one moment, recent graduates, early-career and established fine artists, commercial craft makers, designers, film producers, performance artists and inventors are all in residence.
The presence of international and award-winning artists inspire those at the beginning of their creative journeys, while long-term residents contribute a sense of sustainability and stability. Many artist residents also hold jobs in the wider creative sector of the city and beyond: this rich network provides the potential for new relationships, collaborations and projects.
Flying Fish by Ruth Piper
Our annual Open Studios event offers the possibility of extraordinary encounters for both the artists and the public. A glimpse into a substantial and alternative creative working environment, and an opportunity to purchase work by talented artists and skilled makers.
Until the coronavirus outbreak, preparations were in full swing for the tenth anniversary celebration event. Watch this space for news of when BV Studios will return.
Find our more about BV Studios at www.bvstudios.co.uk
All images courtesy of BV Studios
Read more: Behind-the-scenes BV Studios
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