Find out more about ArtPort’s commitment to visual arts and community
Find out more about ArtPort’s commitment to visual arts and community
COMMITTED TO MAKING THE VISUAL ARTS ACCESSIBLE IN OUR COMMUNITY
ARTPORT is a vibrant, multi-event festival that brings the arts out of traditional spaces and places them at the centre of the community. We provide a platform for emerging south west artists, makers and musicians, and host an exciting and eclectic range of participatory art exhibitions and events for all age groups.
MAJOR COMMUNITY ARTS EVENTS
ArtPort’s ethos is ‘arts for all’, and we our firm in our commitment to bring art out of traditional spaces and into the heart of the community for all to enjoy.
Each year, ArtPort provides an invited southwest artist with the opportunity to conceive and stage an exhibition, event or installation in the key community space of the Folk Hall.
Previous events have included the Portisfield - one of the very first ‘Field’ installations by Hamish Young RWA MRSS - in 2023; and a stunning photography exhibition by international wildlife photographer Sean Weekly in 2024. In 2022, well-known street artist ACERONE (Luke Palmer) created the iconic Portishead mural.
ArtPort’s ethos is ‘arts for all’, and we our firm in our commitment to bring art out of traditional spaces and into the heart of the community for all to enjoy.
Each year, ArtPort provides an invited southwest artist with the opportunity to conceive and stage an exhibition, event or installation in the key community space of the Folk Hall.
Previous events have included the Portisfield - one of the very first ‘Field’ installations by Hamish Young RWA MRSS - in 2023; and a stunning photography exhibition by international wildlife photographer Sean Weekly in 2024. In 2022, well-known street artist ACERONE (Luke Palmer) created the iconic Portishead mural.
FILM
WOODEN BOULDER - DAVID NASH
In 2022 ArtPort gained permission from the artist to hold a free public screening of sculptor David Nash’s film work “Wooden Boulder”.
The film documents the eponymous sculpture's 26-year journey from the North Wales landscape, through the Dwyryd Estuary, and eventually into the Atlantic Ocean; along the way capturing the sculpture's interactions with nature, weather, and gravity, and shows how it was moved by water, sometimes stranding it and sometimes causing it to disappear for years. The film also includes footage of Nash's other works, including his charcoal wall drawing, and his relationship with the sculpture.
ARTSTORIES - BARRY WILKINSON
In 2023, ArtPort hosted a film screening of new film works by acclaimed director Barry Wilkinson (BW Film): the world premier of ‘41 Degrees Morth’, and the first two ARTSTORIES documentaries.
WOODEN BOULDER - DAVID NASH
In 2022 ArtPort gained permission from the artist to hold a free public screening of sculptor David Nash’s film work “Wooden Boulder”.
The film documents the eponymous sculpture's 26-year journey from the North Wales landscape, through the Dwyryd Estuary, and eventually into the Atlantic Ocean; along the way capturing the sculpture's interactions with nature, weather, and gravity, and shows how it was moved by water, sometimes stranding it and sometimes causing it to disappear for years. The film also includes footage of Nash's other works, including his charcoal wall drawing, and his relationship with the sculpture.
ARTSTORIES - BARRY WILKINSON
In 2023, ArtPort hosted a film screening of new film works by acclaimed director Barry Wilkinson (BW Film): the world premier of ‘41 Degrees Morth’, and the first two ARTSTORIES documentaries.
PHOTOGRAPHY
A key part of ArtPort’s community arts engagement is the annual Community Photography Exhibition. Truly egalitarian in its aims, the competition is open to all amateur photographers, regardless of age, experience or equipment used.
Organised and run by key members of the local community, Dave White and Alan Harrison are both enthusiastic and experienced photographers in their own right, and work very hard to promote photography for all.
Every entry into the competition is printed and exhibited in the ArtPort Photography exhibition, as a key part of each festival, giving all photographers, regardless of age or ability, the opportunity to have this inspiring experience.
A key part of ArtPort’s community arts engagement is the annual Community Photography Exhibition. Truly egalitarian in its aims, the competition is open to all amateur photographers, regardless of age, experience or equipment used.
Organised and run by key members of the local community, Dave White and Alan Harrison are both enthusiastic and experienced photographers in their own right, and work very hard to promote photography for all.
Every entry into the competition is printed and exhibited in the ArtPort Photography exhibition, as a key part of each festival, giving all photographers, regardless of age or ability, the opportunity to have this inspiring experience.
ART FAIR and MAKERS MARKET
ArtPort hosts an annual 2-day Art Fair and 1-day Makers’ Market, where up to 50 North Somerset and South West creatives - both established artists and up and coming makers - can exhibit their work. Previous exhibitors have included Stephen Jacobson RWA, applied artist Janet Haigh, sculptor Hamish Young RWA MRSS and the painter Ian Price.
ArtPort hosts an annual 2-day Art Fair and 1-day Makers’ Market, where up to 50 North Somerset and South West creatives - both established artists and up and coming makers - can exhibit their work. Previous exhibitors have included Stephen Jacobson RWA, applied artist Janet Haigh, sculptor Hamish Young RWA MRSS and the painter Ian Price.
CLASSES, WORKSHOPS and DEMONSTRATIONS
ArtPort provides a range of opportunities for the community and visitors from all over the south west to enjoy creative experiences in a hands-on way.
From printing workshops and ceramics classes for adults, to a host of fun activities for our younger visitors including graffiti art workshops, this is an opportunity to try your hand at something new in a fun and low-pressure environment.
