FUZE Bristol raise £23,500 for local charities with 2021 annual show
Posted on: 22 Jun 2021FUZE hosted their 'Utopia' showcase at Lakota Gardens earlier this month.
Student-run collective FUZE Bristol have unveiled the fundraising total from their 2021 annual show, having recently taken over Lakota Gardens for their latest fusion of music, dance fashion and more.
Taking place across two days at the iconic Stokes Croft venue, 'Utopia' saw the FUZE team explore notions of perfection and 'the new normal' as part of one of their most ambitious events to date.
Over £23,500 in donations will be allocated directly to Black South West Network and Art Refuge, who push for equal representation in the creative sector and use art therapy to support the mental wellbeing of displaced people, respectively.
Thank you so much @fuzebristol who have raised an incredible £23,500 for BSWN & @artrefugeuk! This money will be used towards improving the building we just began to manage to make it accessible to local black-led businesses orgs & communities for cultural & business purposes! pic.twitter.com/Nkj80nrvE8
— Black SW Network (@BlackSWNet) June 21, 2021
Launched in 2003 as an annual fashion show, FUZE is one of the UK’s largest student-run creative organisations. The project has developed over the years into a practical networking hub for creatives and a vital platform for young people in and around Bristol.
Well over 200 people now make up the FUZE community, from models and dancers to artists, musicians and designers, led by a core team of directors that change over each year.
Months of hard work and organisation go into their flagship annual event, an innovative fusion of music, fashion, performance art and more. The show usually takes place in the Spring, but was rescheduled to June this year due to COVID-related restrictions.
"In an industry renowned for being intimidating at many levels, FUZE represents a safe space for young people to explore and share their work with like-minded people"
— FUZE BRISTOL (@fuzebristol) January 16, 2021
Read all about FUZE in our new feature by @mattrbsn on @365Bristol! ??????https://t.co/SSdmEoP3O6
FUZE's fundraising efforts in 2021 represent another huge step forward for the group's support of local charities, adding to more than £120,000 donated in the years prior.
Speaking to FUZE this week, Black South West Network said they were "delighted" the event was such a success, and that they plan to use their portion of the proceeds making improvements to their HQ in St Paul's, making it more accessible for black-led businesses, organisations and community groups.
Art Refuge, meanwhile, said they intend to reinvest donations directly into delivering front line projects with displaced people in and around Bristol and those who support them
“We have minimal infrastructure so every pound counts,” they added.
For more information on FUZE, to find out how you can get involved or to follow news and updates from the team, head to their website or find them on Twitter.
Main Image: Alice Sutton
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Editor - 365Bristol.com & LOUD Magazine
Matt is a Journalism graduate and writer, passionate about supporting Bristol music, art and independent business. Get in touch via email at matt@365bristol.com.