Southbank Bristol Arts Trail 2011

Private houses, pubs and churches were just some of the venues thrown open last weekend for art and performances in Bedminster, Ashton and Southville. More than 50 venues were used to display the work of 150 artists, craft workers, musicians and performers during the ninth Southbank Bristol Arts Trail.

Visitors were able to pop into each location and enjoy what was on offer, following an interactive map to get the most out of the weekend.

From lampshades made out of space invader patterns to knitted toys and home-made cakes, locals and visitors alike had plenty to choose from when they reached for their wallets.

The Southville Centre acted as the main hub of the trail, which had a theme of celebration and saw a huge quantity of bunting draped along the route.

Much of the bunting was made by local schoolchildren from six different primary schools. A total of 1,680 pupils got involved, and their efforts brightened up areas such as Dean Lane.

Around the corner from the Southville Centre at the Faithspace building, trail-walkers were entertained by acoustic sets while browsing the specialist art on offer.

Outside St Paul's Church on Coronation Road a plant sale took place while inside the building six different artists exhibited their work as punters tucked into home-made cakes.

Among the features at this year's event were willow making and sculpture workshops with Somerset artist Sophie Courtiour and a world music night featuring performances by Latin jazz band Acustica, Helele (Afro-beats) and DJ Metisse.

A fashion show was also held, while organisers claimed Drawn in Bristol was the city's biggest illustration shop.

A market celebrated the best of local art, accompanied by an afternoon of acoustic music and poetry.

Photography was also included, with the work of Olivier Burnside showing urban areas at night on display. Among the other artists involved were Maggie Bignell and pen-and-ink specialist Grant Margetts.

The event was wrapped up with a end-of-trail party at the Hen and Chicken on North Street, while St Paul's Church hosted a latin and blues night on Saturday which saw nearly 100 people pack into the crypt.