Running from March 20th to 23rd, Equinox – Bristol Gallery Weekend connects the exhibitions, events and meetups for and with artists. Jamillah Knowles talks with the coordinator Adrian Mantle about what’s on, why he started the event and what’s in the future for mapping the arts in the city...
by Jamillah Knowles
As the weather intermittently improves, the days get longer and Spring Equinox heralds an arts event of the same name. Equinox, Bristol Gallery Weekend is in its second year, drawing together and mapping galleries around town and offering art lovers and visitors a map of spaces and organisations to visit and join in activities.
The co-ordinator, Adrian Mantle, is a well-travelled art lover and former firefighter. The idea of bringing Bristol’s finest together came from his journeys around Europe where cities including Barcelona, Berlin, Vilnius, London, Madrid and more have a seasonal art weekend or art week.
“Having seen that for a few years as I was travelling in Europe, I wondered why Bristol didn’t have it. There were some connections between some galleries and art spaces but they were ad hoc and lasted a short time. We have all this creativity in Bristol. We have the arts trails and the open studios but we didn’t have the gallery weekend,” Adrian explains.
Adrian already has roots in the creative side of Bristol as a volunteer for the Stradling Collection, he also founded the North Street Gallery with a friend. Running a gallery is by no means an easy task, but by working with artists and the community, the gallery continues to attract talent to show works and visitors to buy.
“I wanted to do a pop up art gallery and my mate noticed that a shop was closing on North Street,” Adrian says. “He went and had a word with the building owner and the initial idea was to have it for six months, show the work of friends and others and then it morphed a bit as the artists wanted to continue to show their work. The pandemic messed things up a bit but we came out of the other side of that. The thing that works for us is that our artists are stewards, a small commission and classes and workshops that balance the books. But it’s a fine line.”
It was while running North Street Gallery that he thought about running a weekend with other gallerists. Last year was the first event and included around 20 venues. This year, 35 spaces are involved with an exciting range of activities to attend from private views and previews, linocut workshops, a tattoo demonstration, studio tours, drink and draw sessions and live music. All of the events are mapped and outlined on the Equinox Bristol Gallery Weekend flyer which can be found in most creative spots around the city – or you can download it from the website.
Through coordinating the event, Adrian has been deepening his knowledge of the city. “In the first year, I discovered spaces that I didn’t know existed and I am a person who loves to go to all galleries,” he smiles. “I realised that if I didn’t realise that some of those art spaces were there, others might have missed them too. Through the Gallery Weekend I want to show people what is happening in Bristol.”
Adrian is clearly proud to be a part of the creative scene. “Connecting this all is why the Gallery Weekend works for me,” he says. “I am one of those people who believes if you want it done, do it. Don’t just expect others to do it or ask others why they are not doing it.”
The weekend event has shown clear growth in just one year and Adrian hopes that it will have a further with further connections to all of the institutions around Bristol. But, as with all arts coordination, there is a need for support and funding to help it continue. “I help put things on a map and I have amazing help and support to do this,” Adrian explains. “Designer Holly Rolfe created the posters, map and advertising and artist and organiser Sanni Pyhaenniska worked on the promotion, getting us into magazines and on billboard posters this year. I am really grateful for their talent and support.”
For all of his legwork co-ordinating the weekend, Adrian is surprisingly humble about his involvement. “I don;t see it as my event,” he says. It’s the galleries’ event and if someone better comes along to run things, I would happily hand it over.”
With nearly thirty events across thirty-five venues over four days, what’s the best plan to get as much out of the weekend? “You’d have to run a marathon to get to every event,” Adrian laughs. “I suggest people go to the ones that are nearest, but also that they try something new. Go to that local quirky gallery, or that fine art gallery. You don’t have to buy something in every location, you can go and look. The meet the artists events are also a great way to get to know creative people and find out more about the galleries and the wonderful art they share.”
Jamillah Knowles is a writer, artist, AI specialist and RWA Friend. You can read a Floating Circle Meet the Artist Q&A with her here.
Images provided by Adrian Mantle.
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