Artspace Lifespace transforms properties into thriving creative resources. We currently manage five venues The Island, The Vestibules, Sparks Bristol (18-20 The Galleries, Bristol) and the Arts Mansion in North Somerset
Serving the Bristol arts community since 2006, we became a registered charity in 2016. Artspace Lifespace provide affordable space for artists to make, develop and showcase work. We specialise in revitalising forgotten spaces on a meanwhile basis and provide support and consultancy for creatives looking to take on new buildings as well as architects, planners and developers who are committed to regeneration forcused on community need.
Artspace Lifespace offer residencies across our three projects, The Vestibules, Arts Mansion and The Island.
We are proud to support artists to develop new work. Applications for the 2023 residency programme are now open. We are also offering up a pot of £1k as small bursaries (between £100 to £250) to support applicants from backgrounds that are underrepresented in the arts (for example if you have experienced racism, class barriers or have a disability). If you would like to be considered for a bursary please say so in your application.
This month’s Creative Spotlight is on Island studio holder Jennie Cave.
Jennie makes retro surreal collage influenced by life. She is inspired by the weird and wonderful world around us, her travels, and times gone by.
Jennie is one of the longest standing studio holders at The Island but is leaving us in October! She’s working on a commemorative poster design for our 15th Birthday celebrations, prints will be available at our 2023 Open Studios and online.
Artist Alaric Hobbs is interested in how politics affects our built environment and surroundings. Following his residency at The Vestibules, and subsequent exhibition at Centrespace Gallery, Artspace Lifespace caught up with him to chat about his work and the experience of holding a solo exhibition. ASLS: Hi Alaric, your recent exhibition explores themes of hostile […]
Sparks Bristol – Putting the Art back in Department Stores On the 13th May, in partnership with Global Goals Centre, we launched Sparks Bristol, the groundbreaking project that merges art, education, shopping, and sustainability. Revitalising the old Marks and Spencers building in the heart of Broadmead. The grand opening witnessed an incredible turnout of over […]
On the 10th and 11th March 2023 2nd year fine art students from The Bristol School of Art will present their exhibition inspired by the history of The Island. We caught up with contributing artist Jeanette Read to find out more… Q, How did the idea of an exhibition based around The Island building come […]
Along with our partner Global Goals Centre we’ve been busy at our new project, Sparks Bristol, getting our heads around all the things that come with taking on a new building such intruder alarms, access keys and codes, plumbing and some urgent repairs. We were delighted that the community champions came to take a look […]
Queering Masculinity was a week long exhibition with Brook Tate & Daniel DeWolfe at The Island gallery with a series of workshops and performances running alongside. Both Brook and Daniel grew up as Jehovah’s Witnesses and use their work to explore identity and sexuality. Our inclusion officer Caroline Thake was in the audience for the […]