Dave Bain’s mural
Can you help preserve Jamaica Street Studios – an important cultural lighthouse in the arts scene of Bristol – by pitching in to their Crowdfunder to bring it into community ownership?
A group of Bristol artists, film makers, sculptors and photographers – including a Tricky documentary maker and a contributing artist to Dismaland – who have operated from the Stokes Croft building as a collective since the mid-90s were dismayed to learn that their landlord has plans to sell the historic building on the open market, so took matters into their own hands and set out to buy it themselves.
The project was green lit by the government’s Community Ownership Fund to the tune of half a million pounds but they now need to raise match funding of £125k if they want to progress. The group recently opened the ground floor of the JSS building as a space called KIT FORM, which is a home for workshops, exhibitions of local artists, music and film events and is open to all.
Studio Manager Rosie Bowery says: “We are launching a Crowdfunder to champion the different practices and profiles of everyone in the studio. Each artist has made a bespoke reward available. This gives those who support the campaign an incredible opportunity to be part of securing a space essential for the artistic life of Bristol.” A vocal supporter of the campaign is Utopia Strong member and, now, Stokes Croft resident, Steve Davis, who says: “These studios are vital – it is such a well known hub of talent. Bristol has got to do everything it can to keep this space for artists to continue to make work and contribute to this incredible buzzing city I now call home.”
Among the many artists who use the venue are painter Dave Bain who has recently worked for Aardman creating a giant Wallace and Gromit community mural; Dorcas Casey, part of Banksy’s ambitious Dismaland project; Mark Kidel who has filmed a documentary about Tricky and Jessa Fairbrother whose work is currently appearing in a Hayward Touring show at the Arnolfini.
Details of the Jamaica Street Studios crowdfunder can be found here.
