After eight years of creativity, collaboration and cultural programming, Artspace Lifespace will hand back the keys to Ashton Court Mansion this May, marking the end of a remarkable chapter for one of Bristol’s most distinctive grassroots cultural venues.
The organisation has announced a final series of events, culminating in a Farewell to Arts Mansion celebration on Monday 4 May, marking the last opportunity for the public to experience the space in its current form.
In the lead-up, a programme of late-night events will close out the venue’s iconic party scene, with the final club night hosted by local promoters Bristol Nectar Collective on Saturday 25 April. Tickets are available via Headfirst.
Since taking on the building in 2018, Artspace Lifespace has transformed the historic mansion into a thriving creative hub, opening its doors to affordable rehearsals, exhibitions, workshops, performances, community celebrations and late-night events.
During its tenure, the organisation has supported hundreds of creatives, fostered new collaborations, and created a platform for bold, experimental work. From immersive theatre and circus cabarets to grassroots music nights and community festivals, the Arts Mansion became synonymous with Bristol’s independent spirit.
Artspace Lifespace CEO Kathryn Chiswell-Jones also co-founded the Friends of Ashton Court Mansion in 2019, helping open the building to thousands through free public access days and heritage engagement.
Jenna Graves, Arts Mansion Venue Manager, said: “Spaces like the Arts Mansion might be temporary, but they prove what’s possible when you hand historic buildings to creative communities. It’s been an absolute privilege to help transform this space into a hub for modern culture. For years, visitors have told us, ‘I remember coming here for a wedding.’ Now we want a new generation to say, ‘I remember when I came here for a party.’”
The final farewell event on Monday 4 May will bring the community together for a day of activity celebrating the building’s past and present. The family- (and dog-) friendly programme will include an exhibition of past events, a ‘Library of Moments’, a 3D Virtual Dereliction Tour, and live acoustic music from songwriter David Newton, alongside a performance from the City of Bristol Pipes and Drums band.
Outdoor activities* will feature walkabout stilt performers from Circus Antics, circus and hula hoop workshops, plus a kids’ disco and arts and crafts sessions inside the mansion.
Kathryn Chiswell-Jones, Artspace Lifespace CEO, said:
“From the moment I stepped into the Billiard Room in the North West Wing, I fell in love with this extraordinary, if dilapidated, building and felt excited by its possibilities. It has been one of the great honours of my life to serve as a steward of Ashton Court Mansion over the last eight years. During that time, we’ve worked alongside brilliant artists and creatives, dedicated conservationists, committed volunteers, and the fantastic team at Bristol Parks, all championing Ashton Court as a free and open resource for the people of Bristol to enjoy.
It would be hard to hand back the keys were it not for the knowledge that the beautiful Billiard Room will finally be restored by a charitable trust devoted to its future. We want April to be a joyful send-off, a chance for everyone who has been part of our part of the story of Ashton Court, to celebrate together and create a few more lasting memories.”
While this marks the end of the lease at Ashton Court Mansion, it is not the end of Artspace Lifespace. As the organisation approaches its 20th anniversary, it continues its mission across Bristol and beyond, supporting artists and activating underused spaces through projects including The Island and Sparks Bristol.
Artspace Lifespace extends its deepest thanks to the artists, volunteers, audiences, neighbours and partners who have filled the Arts Mansion with energy, imagination and care.
Farewell to Arts Mansion is a free event, open to all. More information can be found at https://hdfst.uk/e152602.
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