Spike Island is pleased to announce the dates for Open Studios 2026, offering free behind-the-scenes access to its 80,000-square-foot arts space over a vibrant weekend of exhibitions and events. The hugely popular annual event will take place from 1–3 May 2026.
Fans of art, culture and design are invited to explore the sprawling former tea-packing factory turned arts centre and participate in a 3- day programme of workshops, performances, exhibitions, film screenings, family-friendly events and demonstrations. This year’s Open Studios is particularly special as it celebrates Spike Island’s 50th year since its founding as Artspace Bristol in 1976. Bristol is invited to join a building-wide celebration of the artist-led, experimental ethos of our thriving and dynamic artist community, as well as the University of the West of England’s Fine Art programmes and the awardwinning Spike Print Studio, the largest open-access print studio in the South West.
Spike Island is a place where art is made and enjoyed, and over the Open Studios weekend visitors will have access all areas: make new discoveries around every corner in over 70 artist studios, get inspired in creative workshops, watch experimental new performances, meet 2 local creative businesses and industry experts, and see in the Summer with some of Bristol’s most beloved names in street food and beer.
Programme highlights include interactive screen-printing and monotype drawing workshops with Spike Print Studio; installations by Spike Island Studio Artists Kathy Hinde, Harriet Bowman and Jo Lathwood; film screenings and talks by Spike Island Associates Guy Undrill, Simone Marconi and Art in Motion; and family-friendly workshops exploring papier mache, ceramics, bookbinding and natural dyes. Local independent radio station NOODS will be soundtracking the Friday evening launch event with their brand-new mobile music studio TREAD.
Image - Spike Islamd
As always, our gallery will be open showing bold new exhibitions by internationally renowned artists. Our Spring season showcases Olukemi Lijadu: Feedback, a new film commission exploring West African drumming, Chicago’s Black music history, and the Soundsystem culture of Bristol, and Phillip Lai: RAIN / RUIN, a collection of new enigmatic sculptures that continue the artist’s exploration of the material world around us.
Bristol street-food vendors will be on hand throughout the weekend to fuel your Open Studios visit, including Tasty Ragga and Jim’s Pizza. 2026 continues Spike Island’s collaboration with Bristol brewery legends Left Handed Giant, with the release of New Edition, a brandnew beer brewed especially for Spike Island’s 50th year! Guests will be the first to sample the new beer featuring three limited edition artwork labels showcasing pieces by Spike Island artists Jo Lathwood, Samuel Fordham and Cliff Andrade. As always, Spike Island’s everpopular on-site café Emmeline will offer a selection of healthy organic lunches, children’s menu options, tasty cocktails and coffees all weekend.
This weekend will be a celebration of the past, present and future of our artistic community, and in honour of our milestone year we are inviting visitors to help support our work through our special 50th anniversary fundraiser. There will be plenty of ways to get involved, including an exciting opportunity to win a range of prizes, from artworks made at Spike Island, to local restaurant vouchers, goody bags from Bristol icons like Aardman Animation, and even tickets to Forwards Festival 2026.
Spanning a weekend of bold artwork and inspiring creativity, Spike Island Open Studios is the perfect way for visitors of all ages to discover, celebrate and support Bristol’s internationally renowned art scene.
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