Art / jamaica street studios
Artists in celebratory mood ahead of Jamaica Street Open Studios
The resident studio-holders at 37-39 Jamaica Street are in especially buoyant mood as preparations take shape for their annual Open Studios weekend, which begins on September 19.
The 2025 event marks the first since the building was bought by the artist collective, safeguarding its future for the arts in a challenging landscape for cultural venues.
The crowdfunder saw over 650 people donating to the cause, along with sizeable donations from sporting giants Steve Davis and Barry Hearn, contributions from the government’s Community Ownership Fund, John James Foundation, Nisbet Foundation and the Society of Merchant Venturers, additional support from Stokes Croft neighbour The Canteen and Studio Hive, and two generous donors who would like to remain anonymous.
is needed now More than ever
Illustrator Jess Knights in her studio – photo: Alice Hendy
Andrew Hood is amongst the ‘longest-serving’ artists to be based at JSS. “It’s been an incredible achievement to secure these as studios for the future” he says.
“We’re proud of taking ownership of this amazing building and everyone has pulled together to make it happen.”
William Klose’s studio – photo: Alice Hendy
As ever, the Open Studios weekend provides art fans with a fascinating insight into the process and inspiration behind the work, by meeting the artists in the places they create.
They include well-known muralist and illustrator Dave Bain, whose Aardman mural can be seen brightening up central Bristol; visual artist Jessa Fairbrother, whose practice encompasses embroidery, photography, performance and drawing; award-winning illustrator William Grill, recipient of the Kate Greenaway medal for his work on Shackleton’s Journey; and multi-disciplinary artist and sculptor Dorcas Casey, whose crocodile public art commission is on permanent display in Temple Quarter’s Welcome Building.
Dorcas Casey in her studio – photo: Ruby Turner
Bristol-based American artist Yuko Edwards, whose socially engaged artistic practice has been shown at Bricks, Centrespace and M-Shed and screened at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, will be participating too, as well as Chris Wright – AKA Turbo Island, who has also contributed the poster for this year’s event.
An artist-led group show will be occupying the gallery space KIT FORM, and the ever-popular fundraising auction to close the weekend will provide enthusiasts with a chance to get their hands on a variety of small works from all JSS studio holders.
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Jamaica Street Open Studios 2025 begins on September 19 with a launch party from 6pm-late. The studios will be open on 11am-5pm on Saturday 20 and 11am-4pm on Sunday 21st, with a live fundraising auction from 4pm onwards.
Online bids for the auction are open now, and will close at 3pm on September 21.
Visit www.jamaicastreetstudios.co.uk or follow @jamaicastreetstudios for updates.
Main photo: Alice Hendy
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