In 2026, Spike Island 50 (SI50) marks half a century since Spike Island was founded as Bristol Artspace. Spike Island invites Bristol to join an ambitious programme of events that honours our past, highlights the experimental ethos at our core, and looks ahead to shaping the next 50 years. We celebrate the vibrant ecosystem that brings together artists, thinkers, designers, makers, curators, students, educators, audiences, and our longstanding partners at Spike Print Studio and UWE Bristol.
Grounded in our values — Bold, Ingenious, Connected, Open — this anniversary is both a commemoration and a call to action. We will reconnect with alumni, welcome new generations of artists and audiences, and invite our community of supporters to play a part in securing the future of this vital cultural infrastructure.
Spike Island’s celebratory year will be marked by new milestone events that will spotlight different branches of our creative community:
May 2026: Open Studios 50
Our signature event, Open Studios has been a cornerstone of Spike Island’s annual calendar since the early days. We open our doors to thousands of visitors, offering behind-the-scenes access to over 70 artists’ studios, Spike Print Studio, UWE Bristol Fine Art studios, and the work of many other creative practitioners. Expect performances, creative workshops for all ages, and food and drink offerings from some of Bristol’s most beloved vendors and breweries.
July 2026: Spike Print Fair
There is no Spike Island without Spike Print Studio, and print-making has been at the heart of the Artspace community since the very beginning. This inaugural fair will pay tribute to that legacy, showcasing Bristol’s rich printmaking scene and offering artists working in all print disciplines the opportunity to present and sell their work.
September 2026: Summer Party Fundraiser
A lively evening of food, drink, music and performance. This will be a moment to honour the communities who have shaped Spike Island and to ensure the continued sustainability of this essential cultural space.
December 2026: Made at Spike Winter Fair
Spike Island is not only a place where art is shown — it is where art is made. This fair will spotlight the breadth of practices that thrive in our studios, inviting audiences to meet artists, discover new work, and purchase directly from the makers who are central to our community.
In 1976, a group of artists transformed a disused Victorian warehouse on Bristol’s harbourside into Bristol Artspace: an experiment in creativity and collectivism. Fifty years later that bold vision lives on at Spike Island — a pioneering ecosystem of creative communities that’s shaping the future of art in Bristol and beyond.
Did you play a role in Spike Island’s history? Did you used to have a studio or work in the building? Have you exhibited your work in the gallery? Get in touch and tell us your Spike Island stories: comms@spikeisland.org.uk
Related
Comments
Comments are disabled for this post.
