Artists First
About Us
Artists First is a group of 16 disabled visual artists with learning difficulties based in Bristol.
We have been working together since 1988; we are used to running our own studios and have organised, or have been part of many exhibitions, residencies and open studio events.
Artists First includes artists who met while attending Social Services' Day Centres and artists who have lived in long stay residential hospitals. We believe that as a group we can support each other and that we can do powerful work together, things that we could not do alone.
Since 2005 we have been working to re-establish ourselves in the Bristol North area where most of us live. We are currently meeting and making our art at Brentry Methodist Church Hall, where we receive a lot of support. We are working towards getting our own studio and gallery; as part of that journey we are making new work for exhibitions so people can see who we are and what we do. We also plan to work with disabled and non-disabled young people who attend local schools and with other disabled people in the area.
Exhibitions and News
Bringing People Together
An exhibition of Artists First's work,
supported by workshops at Lawrence Weston Community Farm. Sat 27th June until Thurs 16th July 2009
(Private View: Sat 27th 2.30pm to 3.30pm)
Opening times:
Sunday 28th June 2pm until 4.30pm
Tuesdays 3pm until 4pm
Thursdays 2pm until 4.30pm
Fridays 2pm until 4.30pm
Saturdays 2pm until 4.30pm
For information about workshops, please contact Artists First, details below. This work is supported by Bristol City Council, Quartet's Grassroots Fund and Lawrence Weston Community Farm.
Recent Exhibitions
Artists First at the Bankside Gallery in London
Monday 21st to Saturday 27th July 2008. Fourteen paintings by Artists First members were selected for an exhibition called Boundless at the Bankside Gallery. www.banksidegallery.com
Seven pieces of work were also featured on The Guardian newspaper's website at www.guardian.co.uk
"It is thumbs up good, having our work in a gallery in London. It makes me very happy." Sarah McGreevy.
Artists First AGM and Exhibition at Brentry Methodist Church Hall. On Tuesday 27th May 2008, Artists First held it's first AGM and opened an exhibition of paintings in Brentry Methodist Church Hall.
Artist Peter Sutton presenting the Artists Comittee report.
Artists First exhibition at The Wholebaked Cafe, June and July 2008. The Wholebaked Cafe, Lawford Street, off Old Market in Bristol.
Exhibiting artists: Kathy Stewart, Joan Clews, Tom Hodson, Roy Tanner, Brenda Cook, Nicholas Selway, Claude Rimmer and Sarah McGreevy.
Artists First exhibition at The Vassall Centre, Bristol. On Wednesday 11th June 2008, The Vassall Centre Trust held an Open Day to celebrate it's 10th Anniversary. Artists First exhibited 17 recent works at the Open Day.
The event was for one day only but The Vassall Centre asked to keep exhibition up for a few weeks so that people could view work by appointment.
Exhibiting artists: Tom Hodson, Tina Kelly, Liz Lane, Carol Chilcott, Claude Rimmer, Nicholas Selway, Peter Sutton and Joan Clews.
Art While You Wait Artists First will have work in Willow Tree Surgery, Henbury as part of the Art While You Wait exhibition. We are waiting for the dates to be confirmed.
Exhibiting artists will be: Brenda Cook, Alan Marshall, Sarah McGreevy, Carol Chilcott and Joan Clews.
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Who We Are and How to Contact Us
Artists
Steve Canby, Carol Chilcott, Joan Clews, Brenda Carr, Brenda Cook, Brian Davis, Tom Hodson, Kevin Hogan, Tina Kelly, Liz Lane, Jacky Long, Sarah McGreevy, Claude Rimmer, Nicholas Selway, Kathy Stewart and Peter Sutton.
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Artists First Coordination
Andy Harris and Jane Sallis.
Artists First Trustees
Donna Baber, Michele Farmer,
Amanda Harman, Ann Pugh
and Kathryn Thomas.
Contact Details
Artists First
13 Friendship Road
Bristol
BS4 2RW
Tel: 0117 9775077 or 07890 524226
Text: 07821165608
Email: artists-first@blueyonder.co.uk
Artists First is pleased to be part of the Creative Learning Agency's network of artists.
All paintings © Artists First
Photographs courtesy of David Gilliland and Amanda Harman.
Artists First is a Registered Charity - Registration Number 1128115
Artists First is a Limited Company - Registration Number 6015649
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