Back Creative Space

Drop-in or signup?

Sign up

When? 

Thursdays

Time?

 4-5:30pm 

Dates

Taster session 15th January 2026 

Then every week, February 5th – March 26th  2026 

Once signed up you can choose sessions you’d like to attend 

Where? 

Arnolfini Arts, Bush House, 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol, BS1 4QA 

Who for? 

18-25 year olds based in Bristol & South Gloucestershire 

 

OTR is partnering with Arnolfini to offer a weekly Creative Space for 18-25 year olds. We’ll be in a relaxing room in the gallery with a big table and art materials. Sometimes we’ll be in the exhibition space too, exploring the art. 

Arnolfini is a free art centre in Bristol where everyone is welcome to explore, get creative and be inspired.  

We think creativity is a great tool to support wellbeing. Making things in the company of other people can reduce anxiety, help us feel like ourselves, and be a way to find connection (with others, with art, with the world around us, with ourselves). 

This isn’t an art class and it’s not art therapy, it’s a space to try things out, follow your nose, be creative and be part of a small community in a contemporary art gallery.  You don’t have to feel at home in a gallery, you don’t have to feel like an artist. If you’re interested in creativity in any form or are curious to try it out, then we’d love you to be part of Creative Space.  

How to get involved: 

First, we’ll need some details from you, so fill out the form via the sign-up link above.  

Once you’ve submitted the form, we’ll be in touch to introduce ourselves and give you more info about attending then you can choose which sessions you’d want to come to.

Access information

The room we’re based in is on Level 2, there’s a lift or stairs to get there. The toilets on this floor are accessible and gender neutral. If you have any access requirements you’d like to chat about before signing up, please get in touch.

Contact details of coordinator for more info: 

If you have any questions or want to chat before signing up, please email isla@otrbristol.org.uk with the subject ‘Creative Space.’ 

Check out the quotes at the bottom of this page to see what participants have said about our previous creative projects!

“I feel less lonely than I used to. I can talk to people now.”
 
“At the creative drop-in there is no pressure to be a particular kind of person; you can just be silent and hang out and that’s okay to do that. But with people around, and being around people without the pressure automatically creates connection and makes you feel part of something.”
 
“I like the enthusiasm the staff show to everyone’s work. To my work and to other people’s work. It’s so heart warming. I really like it when staff take time to read stories I’ve written and things like that.”
 
“Coming to Art Works has boosted my confidence and makes me feel part of a community (that I didn’t have before). There are kind people and familiar faces who are supportive. I feel that staff are there to talk to, which matters when I’m struggling.”
 
“I like being creative and I like the connection the space creates – the ability to talk to people without the pressure to talk.”
 
“I feel more confident because I feel safe. Safety is really important to me. I know I won’t be judged. Particularly when it comes to speaking. I feel relaxed, able to be myself for the first time in a while.”
 
“We get so much freedom to be ourselves so completely.”
 
“It’s a combination of the space and the people and how they interact with each other. It’s the lack of judgement and the celebration of joy that happens in the group.”
 
Creative Space

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