Open Studios at Spike Island

About

Open Studios is a once-a-year chance to go behind the scenes at Spike Island.

Home to over 70 artists' studios, Spike Print Studio, UWE Bristol Fine Art, as well as many other creative practitioners including designers, filmmakers, architects, animators and photographers, Spike Island is a key contributor to the cultural life of Bristol and the South West.

This hugely popular annual event gives you access to explore the studios, see works-in-progress, learn about different creative processes, and buy unique work directly from the artists. The family-friendly programme includes events, performances and workshops for you to test your own creative skills and experience artists' ideas first-hand. In Spike Island's galleries, discover major exhibitions of contemporary art by international and South West-based artists.

Open Studios 2024 

From 3—5 May, fans of art, culture and design are invited to see the expansive network of artist studios, galleries, and creative businesses that inhabit the former tea-packing factory, as well as the working studios of UWE Fine Arts programmes and award-winning Spike Print Studio, the largest open-access print studio in the South West.
 

Beginning Friday 3 May (6—9pm), visitors are free to explore Spike Island, an integral part of the South West’s cultural ecosystem and one of the UK’s largest spaces for contemporary art. With much of the building closed to the public during the rest of the year, this is a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in its community, learn about your favourite creative practices – from graphic design to sculpture, see works-in-progress, and even buy original pieces from both emerging and established talent.

Across the weekend, as well as the opportunity to visit the 70+ artist studios, there is a 3-day programme of performances, film screenings, family-friendly events, talks and workshops where attendees can release their inner artist and discuss ideas with creative experts firsthand. This year, programme highlights include hands-on screen-printing workshops with artist Cliff Andrade; girlhood-inspired collage-making tutorials with Comfy Club Collective; and experimental audio-visual performances from UWE BA Fine Art students.

On Saturday 4 May, a special ticketed event with exhibiting artist Olu Ogunnaike will take place in the gallery where he will be in conversation with curator Cédric Fauq. (booking required, see website). The weekend gives attendees a final look at Ogunnaike’s Fix Your Face and Korean artist Young In Hong’s Five Acts before both exhibitions end on Sunday 5 May.

Additionally, a variety of Bristol-based street-food vendors will be situated across the site to fuel your Open Studios visit, including handmade dim sum chefs Ah-Ma’s Dumplings and festival favourites Small Fire Pizza. Spike Island’s ever-popular on-site café Emmeline will have a selection of colourful salads, their famous mega toasties, and tasty cocktails and coffees all weekend.

With so many discoveries to be made and surprises around each corner, Spike Island Open Studios is an unmissable opportunity to join, celebrate and support the best of Bristol’s renowned art scene.