In 2026, Spike Island celebrates its 50th year as an affordable space for early-stage and established artists in Bristol, marking its historic past, momentous present, and looking to the future, too.
“Our celebrations are driven by Spike Island’s vibrant ecosystem of artists, designers, makers, curators, students, educators, audiences, and our longstanding partners”, they say.
At its core, the former tea-packing factory is driven by a spirit of experimentation, and an enduring belief in “collectivism, self-organisation and a belief in the value of creative communities”.
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Spike Island Open Studios features a raft of special events, workshops and performances – photo: Dan Weill
Amongst the events planned during this major anniversary year are Spike Island’s annual Open Studios weekend, which will be bigger than ever in deference to the celebrations.
Taking place over the first May bank holiday, the labyrinthine building will be opening its doors and welcoming people in to explore the 70+ artists’ studios contained within its corridors. “It’s the perfect way for visitors of all ages to discover, celebrate and support Bristol’s internationally renowned art scene”, organisers say.
The annual Open Studios weekend both celebrates and inspires local artists – photo: Dan Weill
A special 50th anniversary fundraiser to be held at Open Studios will offer donors the chance to win a range of prizes, ranging from artworks made at Spike Island to local restaurant vouchers, goody bags from fellow Bristol institution – and neighbhour – Aardman Animation, and tickets to the 2026 Forwards Festival.
The main gallery spaces will be open to visitors across the weekend – currently hosting twin exhibitions from Olukemi Lijadu and Phillip Lai. And, as ever, there will be a host of other special activities and workshops planned, including opportunities to try screen-printing, monotype drawing, papier mache and bookbinding.
Olukemi Lijadu, Feedback, works in progress (2025) – photo: courtesy of the artist
Plenty of food and drink options will be available for the abundance of visitors that will be expected – including the on-site café, Emmeline, and pop-ups from Tasty Ragga and Jim’s Pizza.
Bristol brewers Left Handed Giant will be releasing New Edition, a brand-new beer to mark the venue’s 50th anniversary. The labels will feature three limited edition artworks created by Spike Island resident artists Jo Lathwood, Samuel Fordham and Cliff Andrade.
A STORY, Etsutomu Kashihara, screenprint, aluminium plate, unique bookwork; featured artist in BABE 2026 – photo: collection of Urawa Art Museum
Beyond the year-round exhibition programme at Spike Island’s main galleries, there is a programme of ancillary events welcoming visitors to the space.
Previously held at UWE Bristol’s Bower Ashton campus, the biennial showcase of artists’ books – Bristol Artist’s Book Event (BABE) will be held at the university’s Fine Art studios at Spike Island on June 26-27. Organised by Sarah Bodman (UWE) and Tom Sowden (Boomsatsuma), BABE is a valuable showcase for over 100 artists and small presses, who will be exhibiting their works to the public for sale.
Eve’s Diner, Kate Bernstein, hand screenprinted on Somerset paper, conservation board bindings with book cloth spine and ‘menu’ insert; featured artist in BABE 2026 – photo: Kate Bernstein
Organised by Sarah Bodman (UWE) and Tom Sowden (Boomsatsuma), BABE is a valuable showcase for over 100 artists and small presses, who will be exhibiting their works to the public for sale.
This edition is themed ‘Looking East’, with a special emphasis on curators and artists from Japan showcasing bookworks, as well as the participatory Kujibiki Drawing project which is brought to Bristol for the first time.
Shonenbunko Steps Konigsburg, Hiroshi Nakao, hand cut book, unique bookwork. Featured artist in BABE 2026 – photo: Collection of Urawa Art Museum
Other artists to be featured in the event come from Austria, Australia, Belgium, France, Netherlands, Sweden, Turkey and the USA, as well many from across the UK.
Looking ahead to the rest of the year at Spike Island, the inaugural Spike Print Fair will be held on July 24-26; a summer party is planned for September, and a ‘Made at Spike’ winter fair will close the 50th birthday celebrations in early December.
Open Studios 50 is at Spike Island on May 1-3. The entire weekend is accessible and free to attend.
Bristol Artists Books Event (BABE) 2026: ‘Babe Looking East’ is at UWE Bristol’s Fine Art studios at Spike Island on June 26-27, from 11am-5pm daily; all welcome. For more information, visit www.bookarts.uwe.ac.uk.
More information about the weekend programme, as well as all other Spike Island 50 events, can be found at www.spikeisland.org.uk.
Main photo: Lisa Whiting
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