Spike Island Open Studios - A Huge Success!
Posted on: 10 May 2016Over the May Bank Holiday – 29 April-2 May 2016 – artists and creative tenants at Spike Island in Bristol opened their doors to people of all ages. The event was a huge success and opened the eyes of many new visitors.
An artist's workshop during Open Studios 2016
A former tea packing factory, Spike Island - situated on Cumberland Road and just a stone’s throw from the SS Great Britain - is now home to hundreds of artists, designers and creative businesses. Over the long weekend, people were allowed to explore the artists’ working environments and see what they do.
There was so much to do it would be impossible to cover it all in this article! Visitors enjoyed everything from family workshops, a pop-up cinema, outdoor bingo-driven fitness activities, disruptive public service announcements, stairwell installations of light and sound, and live molten rock casting. Artist Michael Beutler held a family workshop entitled Production Playground. Guests of all ages were invited to use and operate hand-built tools with the artist and fellow producers to make ‘tea bag bricks’ with an ‘inflating machine’, cut cardboard sheets with a ‘slicing train’, and help the artist bring his exhibition to completion.
Slider, Test Space exhibition on during Open Studios 2016
This was just one of the many events that run throughout the year at the excellent Spike Island. It really is worth a look at their website www.spikeisland.org.uk to see what they have coming up. You can also find info on their Facebook and Twitter pages.
There’s also a great cafe on site serving up hot and cold drinks and a variety of cakes, snacks, sandwiches and meals. The perfect excuse for a quick 5 minute diversion from the beautiful Bristol Harbourside! Spike Island is located at: 133 Cumberland Road, Bristol, BS1 6UX.
Family workshop: Production Playground, with artist Michael Beutler during Open Studios 2016.
All photos courtesy of Max McClure and Spike Island