Spend a relaxed Sunday afternoon in our gallery spaces drawing faces and meeting new people. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or someone who swears they “can’t draw”, Portrait Club is for you. ✏️ 👉 Book here: buff.ly/2ykLf3E

Step into the radical spirit of 1960s Japan. From Butoh dance to experimental photography, from graphic design revolutions to underground theatre—this documentary journeys through an explosive moment in global art history.

📚 Writers of the Global Majority Next session: Wed 24 Sept, 3pm to 5pm at Arnolfini. A welcoming space to write, share & grow with others, led by Jessica Olivia Neill.

🎬 Melanie Manchot's Celebration (Cyprus Street) (2010) - intergenerational East London street party captured in one continuous 35mm shot. 📅 13 Sep - 1 Oct 📍 Dark Studio, Level 2 🆓 Free buff.ly/u3hr6A8 📷 Melanie Manchot, Celebration (Cyprus Street) (2010). Still. Courtesy the artist

📅 Three nights, three incredible events, one unforgettable week at Arnolfini. Don’t miss this chance to experience art, ideas, and community in motion. 👉 Tickets are limited — book now: buff.ly/75LaWN2

🧵 Join artist Alice Bowen-Churchill on Friday, 2pm to 4pm at Arnolfini and add your stitch to the Oxfam Milaya – a South Sudanese–inspired textile sharing stories of resilience, home & hope. 📍 First floor, within Dana Awartani: Standing by the ruins 🎟️ Free, drop-in

🧵 Join us Thursday, 11a to 1pm, for Meet Make Mend with founder Saffron Darby. Slow down, stitch, and restore your worn textiles in a warm, social setting. Visible Mending highlights wear as part of a garment’s story, turning repair into creativity and care. Bring pieces to repair.

Need a quiet creative evening in? Join us for Online Portrait Club on 16 September – a chilled, untutored drawing session from home. No experience needed, just a pencil and curiosity. 🕕 6PM to 8PM | 💻 Zoom 🎟️ Pay what you can + free tickets 🔗 Book here: buff.ly/oG49lbb

👩👧 ENJOY YOURSELF is for everyone — children, parents, and all curious minds. Drawing on 45 years of Arnolfini’s education and participation programmes, the exhibition celebrates creativity across generations. 🗓️ On until 2 November. 📍 Gallery 5, Level 2

Join us for a Free Audio Described Tour this Saturday 6 September, 10am to 11am, designed for blind and visually impaired visitors. 📩 Booking essential – email [email protected] to reserve your place.

One week left to see Merzschmerz by Andrea Luka Zimmerman – a heartwarming, oddball short film full of retold fairy tales, family memories and Schwitters-inspired weirdness. 📍 Dark Studio | 🎞 15 mins | Until 10 September

Sahara Longe: The Other Side of the Mountain at Arnolfini until 28 September 2025. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 6pm. 🆓 (suggested donation of £5) buff.ly/vN2QVsR 📷 Sahara Longe The Other Side of the Mountain, Arnolfini, Bristol 2025. Lisa Whiting Photography for Arnolfini. All rights reserved.

Dana Awartani: Standing by the ruins, at Arnolfini until 28 September 2025. Free entry (with a suggested donation of £5). Open Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 6pm. buff.ly/84uVkE9 📷 Dana Awartani Standing by the ruins, Arnolfini June 2025. Lisa Whiting Photography for Arnolfini. All rights reserved.

Join us for an In-Conversation with artist Jeannette Ehlers, exploring black hair as heritage, identity & resistance. With film and art curator Karen Alexander. 📅 Friday 19 September, 7pm to 9pm 🔗 Book your ticket here: buff.ly/Ydl5YVh

✨ This Fri 29 Aug, 2–4pm | Join artist Alice Bowen-Churchill at Arnolfini & add a stitch to the Oxfam Milaya – a South Sudanese–inspired textile carrying stories of resilience & hope across the world. 🧵💛 📍 Happening on the 1st floor, within the exhibition Dana Awartani: Standing by the ruins.

We’re thrilled to welcome eavesdropping back to Arnolfini this September! 💥 Join us for an unforgettable evening of exploratory sound with cellist Khabat Abas and saxophonist Rachel Musson – two groundbreaking artists pushing the boundaries of sound, performance, and improvisation.

We’re offering a free Audio Described Tour for blind & visually impaired visitors on Saturday 6 September, 10am to 11am at Arnolfini. Explore our exhibitions with sighted guides, followed by a cuppa & a chat ☕ 📧 Email [email protected] to book #AudioDescribed #AccessibleArt #BristolEvents

Good news, Suzanne Rolt is officially our permanent CEO 🙌 She's got great experience from running St George's concert hall (UK Concert Hall Manager of the Year 2019) and knows the Bristol scene well. More here: buff.ly/LZOok0I #Bristol #ContemporaryArts #Arnolfini

🎨 Arnolfini announced as key venue for British Art Show 10! UK's largest contemporary art exhibition comes to Bristol June 2027. Curated by Ekow Eshun, touring 5 cities for first time in 45-year history. Excited to work with Ekow again & continue Hayward Gallery partnership. buff.ly/sEkYOmv

🖌️ A gentle space to draw faces, meet people, and reconnect with creativity. Portrait Club – 31 August 📍 Arnolfini Galleries | 🕑 2–5PM All levels welcome, all materials provided. 🎟️ Free or Pay what you can 🔗 Book here: buff.ly/3Atoxoy #BristolArt #CreativeActivities #CreativeWorkshops

This Tuesday: grab your sketchbook and join us for a calm, creative space online ✨ 🎨 Online Portrait Club – 19 August Volunteer sitters change every 15 mins. 🕕 6–8PM | 🎟️ Pay what you can or Free 🔗 Book here: buff.ly/oG49lbb

Our latest exhibition ENJOY YOURSELF is open! 🥳 Four themes, countless stories, and a joyful look at Arnolfini’s past and present, curated by Let’s Make Art. Come along and… enjoy yourself 😉 #LetsMakeArt #WeAreFamily #ArtEducation #ArtForEveryone #Arnolfini

Now showing in the Dark Studio: Merzschmerz by Andrea Luka Zimmerman. Inspired by Kurt Schwitters’ surreal kids' stories, retold by children & adults in charming, funny, absurd ways. Part of The Child Inside Us All from Let’s Make Art & Film and Video Umbrella. 🎞 15 mins | Free | Until 10 September

🖼️ Draw at your own pace from the comfort of your home. Online Portrait Club returns on 19 August ⏰ 6pm to 8pm | 💻 Zoom 🎟️ Pay what you can & free tickets 🔗 Book here: buff.ly/oG49lbb #OnlinePortraitClub #ArtForAll #CreativeEvening

Sahara Longe: The Other Side of the Mountain at Arnolfini until 28 September 2025. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 6pm. 🆓 (suggested donation of £5) buff.ly/vN2QVsR 📷 Sahara Longe The Other Side of the Mountain, Arnolfini, Bristol 2025. Lisa Whiting Photography for Arnolfini. All rights reserved.

Dana Awartani: Standing by the ruins, at Arnolfini until 28 September 2025. Free entry (with a suggested donation of £5). Open Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 6pm. buff.ly/84uVkE9 📷 Dana Awartani Standing by the ruins, Arnolfini June 2025. Lisa Whiting Photography for Arnolfini. All rights reserved.

🪁 Join Palestinian artist Sam Harp on Saturday, 30 August for a kite making workshop, inspired by Dana Awartani’s Standing by the ruins exhibition and Sam’s childhood in Palestine. 📍 Community Workshop, Level 2 🕚 Drop in: 11am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm 👕 Wear clothes you don’t mind getting messy 🎟️ Free

⏳ One week left to catch this urgent, poetic short film by Mikhail Karikis, showing now in the Dark Studio as part of The Child Inside Us All – a season of artists’ films curated by @letsmakeartuk and @filmvidumbrella

📅 This Thursday 7 August: RepresentAsian storytelling at Arnolfini. 💫 Bristol's Desi community shares their stories. Everyone welcome. 🕢 7.30pm to 9.30pm 🎟 £6.50 🔗 buff.ly/4sDl49x #RepresentAsian #AsianStoryTelling #SouthAsianHeritage #Bristol #Arnolfini

New month, new creative sessions incoming ✨ Join us on 7 and 21 August for free creative tasters at Arnolfini with WorkWell. Each session includes a gallery visit followed by a creative workshop in response to what you have seen. 🗓️ 1pm to 3pm | 💸 Free | 📍 Arnolfini 🔗 Sign up here: buff.ly/ufTMcaZ

Sahara Longe: The Other Side of the Mountain at Arnolfini until 28 September 2025. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 6pm. 🆓 (suggested donation of £5) buff.ly/vN2QVsR 📷 Sahara Longe The Other Side of the Mountain, Arnolfini, Bristol 2025. Lisa Whiting Photography for Arnolfini. All rights reserved

We have some wonderful resources to help you explore exhibitions by Sahara Longe and Dana Awartani, including Gallery Guides and Eye Spy Guides. Huge thanks to Leeza Awojobi and Sukina Noor for their poetic contributions and BSquared and Jade Harding for their beautiful designs. buff.ly/U8KLuKo

Dana Awartani: Standing by the ruins, at Arnolfini until 28 September 2025. Free entry (with a suggested donation of £5). Open Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 6pm. buff.ly/84uVkE9 📷 Dana Awartani Standing by the ruins, Arnolfini June 2025. Lisa Whiting Photography for Arnolfini. All rights reserved.

🎧 Join us at Arnolfini for free audio described tours of our summer exhibitions – specially for blind & visually impaired visitors. 🗓️ Tour 1: Sat 2 August, 10am to 11am 🗓️ Tour 2: Sat 6 September, 10am to 11am 🕰️ Held before opening hours 👀 Sighted guides available ☕ Complimentary tea & coffee

Just a few days to go! ✨ Portrait Club returns this Sunday 27 July. Join us for a calming, untutored drawing session with rotating sitters every 15 mins and a welcoming vibe. 🗓️ 2pm to 5pm 🎟️ Free or Pay what you can tickets 🔗 Book here: buff.ly/lTCv0eg

What if children led the fight against climate destruction? 🎬 Mikhail Karikis’ powerful short film – inspired by Ted Hughes’ The Iron Woman – is now showing in the Dark Studio as part of The Child Inside Us All. Until 13 August. @filmvideoumbrella @letsmakeartuk

💫 This South Asian Heritage Month, RepresentAsian are hosting an evening of stories from Bristol’s Desi community. From personal memories to cultural roots – hear voices that celebrate identity, heritage and belonging. 📅 7 August 2025. 🕢 7.30pm to 9.30pm 🎟 £6.50 🔗 buff.ly/4sDl49x

🎥 What’s on in the Dark Studio? Arnolfini presents The Child Inside Us All – a season of artists’ films curated by Let’s Make Art x Film and Video Umbrella. 🗓️ until 1 October 👀 Films by Mikhail Karikis, Andrea Luka Zimmerman & Melanie Manchot explore childhood, protest & community.

Looking for creative things to do this summer? Visit the Community Workshop for Geometric Play, inspired by Dana Awartani who creates geometric patterns rooted in traditional Islamic and Arab art and architecture. We have gridded paper, compasses, rulers so you can design patterns. buff.ly/qTVrfER

Como la Cigarra by Latinas in Bristol is live at Arnolfini — but only until 10 August! 🌸 Don’t miss this powerful, community-led exhibition. 🗓️Weekly meetups continue Tuesdays 4–6pm in the Community Workshop.

🎉 Woo hoo! Summer Hols! We have a full programme of workshops - including Let's Make Art Workshops, Kite Making and artists films - as well as loads of resources for all the family to keep you busy this summer, whatever the weather 🌞 🌥️🌧️🌈 Come and explore, make, be inspired. buff.ly/htmTwBD

🎨 Introducing Creative Taster Sessions at Arnolfini In partnership with WorkWell, we're running free, twice-monthly workshops from July to October. 🖼️ Explore the gallery, then get hands-on in a relaxed, artist-led session – from drawing to writing and more. No experience needed.

Join Online Portrait Club on Tuesday 22 July for a cosy, untutored drawing session – open to all, even if you think you “can’t draw”! Volunteer sitters change every 15 minutes on screen. 🎟️ Pay What You Can & Free tickets available 📍 Online | ⏰ 6–8PM 🔗 Book here: buff.ly/oG49lbb

🎬 Mikhail Karikis' No Ordinary Protest (2018) - primary school children explore activism through storytelling & performance. Part of The Child Inside Us All. 📅 19 July - 13 August 📍 Dark Studio, Level 2 🆓 Free buff.ly/9KyvzL7 📷 Mikhail Karikis, No Ordinary Protest (2018). Still. Courtesy the artist

🌟 Founded by siblings Safiya Haneen and Yusuf Suave, RepresentAsian champions South Asian voices. 📝 An evening of prose, poetry, personal stories - all welcome. 📅 7 August 2025. 🕢 7.30pm to 9.30pm 🎟 £6.50 🔗 buff.ly/4sDl49x

Join us for Portrait Club on Sunday 27 July – no experience needed, just curiosity and a willingness to have fun! ✏️ 🕑 2PM to 5PM | 📍 Arnolfini Galleries 🎟️ Pay-what-you-can 🔗 Book here: buff.ly/lTCv0eg #PortraitClub #BristolEvents #FreeArtClub

Three weeks into exhibitions by Sahara Longe: The Other Side of the Mountain and Dana Awartani: Standing by the ruins and it's been wonderful to see so many of you in the spaces - averaging 5,000+ visitors each week - thank you! buff.ly/eASqdjZ 📷 Lisa Whiting for Arnolfini. All rights reserved.

🎊 RepresentAsian storytelling evening at Arnolfini. 💫 Bristol's Desi community shares stories of identity and belonging. 📅 7 August - everyone welcome. 🕢 7.30pm to 9.30pm 🎟 £6.50 🔗 buff.ly/4sDl49x

Very happy to see our new neighbour on the Harbourside🐾 Gromit Unleashed 3 Trail is on the streets of Bristol until 31 August, as part of @thegrandappeal before the sculptures are auctioned to raise funds for Bristol Children’s Hospital. Full trail and app download at buff.ly/CupLy3R

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Peace Feast, hosted by Bridges For Communities. Delicious authentic Arabic cuisine from chef Oumaima Yusef, Anatolian music from Özcan Ates with conversations between poets Leeza Awojobi & Sukina Noor and exhibiting artists Sahara Longe & Dana Awartani.