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 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.
To watch a short film introducing Artists First, go to www.redweather.co.uk/artistsfirst
Working Together Two 10th Sept to 30th Nov 2010
Open daily 9am to 8pm
The Hip Space, Avon Orthopaedic Centre at Southmead Hospital, Bristol.
An exhibition of Artists First work curated by Fresh Arts for North Bristol NHS Trust.
PortentsFrom Sat 18th to Sun 26th of September, College Green in Bristol City Centre was transformed by Portents. A city of 'art tents' pitched to acknowledge the fundamental importance of sanctuary, security and diversity. Artists First contributed to four tent works, with images and words reflecting on Home, Histories and Hope.
"Home is about needing a place to do our art in. History is about some of us remembering our past and living in institutions like hospitals. Hope for us is when people come together, support each other and work together for the future."
The Nine Lessons of Caliban for Bristol Poetry Festival On Sunday the 19th Sept, Firebird Theatre performed poetry inspired by their work on the Tempest at The Arnolfini in Bristol. Readings were accompanied by cinema sized projections of Carole Chilcott's evocative line drawings of rehearsals. This performance was dedicated to the memory of our wonderful friend and Artists First artist Claude Rimmer.
Drawing trip to Cardiff Docks Sarah McGreevy, Joan Clews and Peter Sutton, August 2010
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.
Andy Harris and Jane Sallis.
Michele Farmer, Michael Prior and Ann Pugh.
Click here for more information about our trustees.
In January 2010, Artists First moved into studio space in The Bristol Centre for Music and the Arts, Stanton Road (off Pen Park Road), Southmead, Bristol BS10 5SJ.
Artists First
13 Friendship Road
Bristol
BS4 2RW
Tel: 0117 9775077 or 07890 524226
Text: 07821165608
Email: artists-first@blueyonder.co.uk
Thanks to The Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, The Foyle Foundation, Bristol City Council Single Project Fund and Grassroots funding via The Quartet Community Foundation for supporting the work of Artists First during 2009 and 2010.
Artists First is also supported by donations and the sale of work.
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