Behind the Scenes: Building Tour and Studio Artist Visits

As part of Heritage Open Days, join us for a special behind the scenes tour of Spike Island where two artists will open their studio doors to the public. This is a chance to; explore the building’s unique architectural features and gain a glimpse into its previous life as a Brooke Bond tea-packing factory; have an exclusive sneak peek into the gallery during install of the next exhibitions; and meet some of the artists based at Spike Island, learn about their practice and view works in progress.

On this visit, we meet artists Asmaa Jama and Veronica Vickery.

Asmaa Jama is a Somali multidisciplinary artist, writer, and filmmaker based in Bristol, UK. Their work is interested in myth, movement, and migration. They have recently exhibited at the 2026 Venice Biennale where they were chosen to represent Somalia.

Veronica Vickery’s materials-led practice fuses and layers sculpture, ceramics, painting, performance and sound, and has recently expanded to include spinning and weaving. Materials-led and site-responsive, she works with foraged, discarded, wasted and gifted materials.

Tour schedule:
10:45: Meet at reception
11:00: Tour of Floor 1
11:15: Studio visit with Asmaa Jama
11:45: Tour of Ground Floor
12:00: Studio visit with Veronica Vickery
12:30: End

Timings

Saturday 19 September:

11am–12.30pm

Location & directions

Spike Island Artspace Ltd, 133 Cumberland Road, Bristol, Bristol, BS1 6UX

Directions:

Getting here On foot From North Bristol: we are 15 minutes from the city centre. Walk over the Prince Street Bridge and along the harbour past M Shed. At the SS Great Britain, turn left onto Gas Ferry Road and then right on Cumberland Road. From South Bristol: use the Gaol Ferry Bridge or Ashton Avenue Bridge (Vauxhall Bridge is temporarily closed for repair work). By car Follow the brown road signs to SS Great Britain. Please note, a bus gate is in operation on Cumberland Road which prohibits vehicles other than buses, taxis, e-scooters and bikes from travelling east from Spike Island, towards the city centre. Parking Monday to Friday, 10am–4.30pm: 30 minutes free parking, £1 per hour for up to 3 hours Saturdays, 9am–7pm: 30 minutes free parking, £1 per hour for up to 3 hours Bank Holidays: FREE There are three blue badge spaces available directly outside the main entrance.

Contact on day:

Front of House

Telephone number:

+441179292266

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking required

Booking conditions:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/behind-the-scenes-studio-visit-and-building-tour-tickets-1995920748688?keep_tld=true

Accessibility details

There are three blue badge spaces available directly outside the main entrance of Spike Island. A pay and display car park is also available just off of Gas Ferry Road. View our access guide for more information: www.spikeisland.org.uk/plan-your-visit/access-guide/

Additional information

Max number of people:

15

Estimated duration:

1 hour(s) 30 minute(s)

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