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Art & Exhibitions

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Bristol's Exhibitions Scene

New art exhibitions are opening all the time in Bristol. Use this guide to find private views and exhibition launches in Bristol.

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Our recent exhibitions recommendations

A kinetic exorcism of working-class identity and masculine performance, Oona Doherty’s 'Hope Hunt and the Ascension Into Lazarus' is a mutating pastiche of regional archetypes. Best known for 'Hard to Be Soft', an electrifying portrait of her hometown Belfast, the Northern Irish dancer-choreographer’s chameleonic blend of comedy, swagger and grace is unmissable. Hope Hunt and the Ascension into Lazarus at The Mount Without.

Sell out warning! Omar El Akkad’s new book takes aim at the West’s moral hypocrisy around the genocide in Gaza, asking why it’s so easy to condemn atrocities once they’re safely in the past, but so hard to act while they’re happening. He joins us in person for an urgent discussion on complicity and what it means to witness injustice without becoming numb to it. One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This with Omar El Akkad at The Station.

Trinity Gardens transforms into an outdoor circus extravaganza with 6 women performing daring tightrope feats amongst the foliage, interweaving physical theatre and spoken word tales of female empowerment from troupes-gone-by. Daughters of the Wire have assembled a dazzling and inspiring show with real heart for all the family. ElevateHer // Daughters of the Wire at The Trinity Centre.

How can millions of Israelis justify their role in the occupation and ongoing genocide? Writer and Palestinian rights activist Avigail Abarbanel offers vital perspective on the internal workings of Zionism, drawing on her own moral awakening growing up in Israel, she surveys the psychology of denial, guilt and the weaponisation of Jewish identity by the settler-colonial state. Israel and the Social Psychology of Indoctrination at Malcolm X Community Centre.

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What our editors say

“JAMAICA STREET STUDIOS OPEN STUDIO 2026 Once a year Jamaica Street Studios throws open it's doors for you to come and explore our beautiful building! - 27 stunning artist's studios - 32 artists - A grade II listed building - The KIT FORM group show exhibition - Our brand new KIT FORM DARKROOM - Our famous fundraising auction - Beers, ciders, coffee, cake! - KIT FORM is on ground level with step free access Jamaica Street Studios is only accessible via stairs - Jamaica Street Studios & KIT FORM 37 - 39 Jamaica Street Bristol BS2 8JP”
From: Jamaica Street Studios - Open Studios 2026

“FREE ENTRY You are invited to celebrate the opening of our Autumn exhibition, Beverly Buchanan: Weathering. Discover the largest European survey exhibition of Beverly Buchanan (b.1940; d.2015), bringing together five decades of sculpture, painting, drawing, earthworks, artists’ books and rarely-seen archival material. Rooted in the landscapes and histories of the American Southeast, Buchanan developed a singular practice shaped by memory, materiality and place, exploring the enduring legacies of slavery through the histories embedded in architecture, landscape and everyday materials. Further programme to be announced.”
From: Exhibition Launch | Beverly Buchanan: 'Weathering'

“Jonathan Baldock leads an informal and intimate tour of Held, in the company of Arnolfini Head of Exhibitions Gemma Brace. Together they’ll focus on key works in the exhibition to explore craft, making and materiality, the body, and world building.”
From: Jonathan Baldock Exhibition Tour

“Ragged Edges A solo exhibition of British landscapes by printmaker Ruth Ander. With handprinting demonstrations throughout the weekend. "My inspiration is landscape, nature and light- often in North Somerset, the Severn Estuary, Dorset and Wiltshire- the places I know and love best, but also sometimes far away places I’ve travelled to. My motivation is to express the way I feel about these places- they move me and I want to move others." PREVIEW EVENING all welcome Thursday 10th September, 18:00 - 21:00 - Runs 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th September 12:00 - 18:00 & 12:00 - 16:00 Sunday KIT FORM has step-free access - 37 Jamaica Street, Stokes Croft, BS2 8JP”
From: Ragged Edges

“Welcome to the Tooliverse, an exhibition by Dr Alice Beck. Follow Toole, the bottle nose dolphin, through her adventures as she moves to the city and undergoes the messy and uncomfortable transition of self. The exhibition will showcase original digital collages, screen prints and a curated soundtrack, with a talk from the artist. Merchandise and prints available for purchase.”
From: Welcome to the Tooliverse