Art / Valentine's Day
Bringing art into everyday spaces
A Valentine’s-themed art exhibition celebrating friendship, relationships and community has opened.
Based at Radical Roasters in Easton, the exhibit titled m8z <3 has been created by artists Ramona Eve and Jesse Warby, combining an art exhibition with a free drop-in card-making workshop for Valentine’s Day.
It draws on the artists’ own lives as well as contemporary dating culture and love.
Radical Roasters was chosen for its relaxed, informal atmosphere – photo: Cheri Clouds
“It’s about celebrating love in all its forms and inviting people to make something meaningful together while being affordable and accessible,” Ramona said.
On Valentine’s Day between 12pm and 2pm, visitors will be able to take part in a free drop-in workshop, with card-making materials, paint pens and decorative craft supplies, allowing people to create their own messages for friends, partners or family members.
Ramona Eve and Jesse Warby have undertaken a ‘craft exchange’ to create the exhibit – photo: Cheri Clouds
The workshop has been intentionally designed as a free activity in response to the rising cost of living and the commercialisation of Valentine’s Day, with materials donated or reused from previous projects.
“I wanted to do something that anyone could drop into,” Ramona said.
“Radical Roasters have very generously provided the space for free, and we’re using leftover materials so we can make it completely free. It feels like an exchange of generosity that makes the whole thing possible.
“By funding this myself and making it more DIY, anyone can drop in and it feels more like an open invite.”
“Last year I made lots of Valentine’s cards – not just for my partner but also for my friends,” Ramona said.
“People don’t expect to receive a Valentine’s card from a friend, but they really love it when they do.”
Visitors can find an array of love themes: from the trials of dating to wedding day pressures – photo: Cheri Clouds
Radical Roasters, a cafe and roastery, was chosen for being a relaxed atmosphere where visitors can encounter artwork while having a coffee.
The aim is to make art more accessible to people who may not usually visit galleries.
Ramona, a community artist based in Redfield, met Jesse while facilitating an autistic group in Cheltenham.
The pair began collaborating on community projects and, over the past year and a half, developed the idea for a joint exhibition.
The artists are currently working across ceramics, mosaics, textiles and mixed media, describing the show as a “practice exchange” where each has experimented with the other’s materials and techniques.
Visitors can expect a colourful display, partly inspired by the artists being at different life stages, with Jesse currently dating and Ramona recently getting engaged, offering contrasting ideas on the meaning of Valentine’s Day.
Radical Roasters was chosen as the setting for the love-themed exhibit and workshop – photo: Mia Vines-Booth
“This is about celebrating love in all its forms, bringing art into everyday community spaces, and inviting people to make something meaningful together,” Ramona said.
The artists hope the project will encourage more creative activity within neighbourhoods and bring art directly into everyday community spaces.
m8z <3 is on display at Radical Roasters until February 28, with the free Valentine’s card-making workshop running alongside the exhibition on February 14.
Carla Wakfer is reporting on Easton as part of Bristol24/7’s Community Reporters programme, aiming to amplify marginalised voices and communities often overlooked by mainstream media.
This initiative is funded by our public, Better Business members and a grant from the Nisbets Trust.
Main photo: Cheri Clouds
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