A dazzling social dwelling,
an assembly of silent sculptures,
a pop-up party for passersby…

For six months, Bristol’s iconic Bearpit played host to a series of unusual interventions and encounters, interrupting the everyday life of the city.

Art in Bearpit was a pilot programme of commissions and events developed for the Bearpit in central Bristol, taking place from May to November 2015.

Art in Bearpit was a partnership project produced by Hand in Glove, initiated by Bearpit Improvement Group. Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and the Bristol City Council Creative Seed Fund.

About Hand in Glove

Hand in Glove is a Bristol-based collective of artists and curators who produce projects in a variety of contexts to showcase and support emerging artist practice. We collaborate with artists, working across a range of disciplines to develop and present artwork with a focus on process, dialogue and exchange.

About Bearpit Improvement Group

Bearpit Improvement Group (BIG) is a Community Interest Company (CIC) which was formed to implement ideas and prospects for the Bearpit. BIG consists of a team of volunteers who are united by the vision and objectives to change central Bristol’s Bearpit roundabout space from a feared space to one that is “welcoming, safe, diverse and inclusive”. The ethos of BIG is to deliver manageable, incremental change to the Bearpit, and promote it for the use and enjoyment of all residents and visitors of Bristol.

Stay in Touch

Sign up for email updates, like Art in Bearpit on Facebook or follow the hashtag #artinbearpit.