By Bristol Plein Air Painters and Friends
Monday 8th June to Sunday 14th June
Open Daily 10am–5pm
The inaugural exhibition by the Bristol Plein Air* Painters brings together a collective of artists working across the city and beyond, united by a shared commitment to painting from observation. Part of Blooming Bedminster and the Bedminster Garden Festival, the exhibition reflects a collective engagement with place: observed, revisited, and reinterpreted through paint.
*The French term plein air means out of doors
“What began as a small group of artists painting outdoors together has grown beyond anything I expected. Seeing nearly 100 paintings by more than 50 talented artists gathered in one place is a wonderful reminder of the creativity, generosity and community that exists across Bristol’s art scene.”
Helena Traill, Founder, Bristol Plein air Painters
Launch Party Photographs by Paul Driver
Location
Willway Yard, Bedminster.
Behind BV Studios, and near ASDA and Windmill Hill City Farm.
Google Maps.
With thanks to Willway Yard for generously providing the space for this exhibition.
Exhibition Events
Artist Demo – Saturday 13th June 11am
As part of the Bristol Plein Air Painters exhibition at Willway Yard in Bedminster, founder Helena Traill will be running a demo and talk all about Landscapes and Garden Paintings Inspired by the Impressionsists. Come along to view 100 paintings, and learn about colour, and impressionism.
Meet the Artists – Sunday 14th June 2-4pm
Come and meet the artists on the final day of our group exhibition. All welcome, book a free ticket if you can (so we can work out rough numbers), or just come along and bring your friends!
Watch the exhibition artist interview on YouTube
More Information
Founded in September 2025 by artist Helena Traill, Bristol Plein Air Painters began as a small monthly gathering for artists wishing to paint outdoors together across the city. Less than a year later, the group has grown into a thriving creative community of over fifty painters, connected by a shared passion for painting from life.
Meeting on the last Saturday of each month, members paint throughout Bristol’s parks, streets, harbourside, gardens and surrounding landscapes. Bringing together artists of all ages, backgrounds and experience levels, the group offers both a creative practice and a welcoming social community within what can often be a solitary discipline.
Landscapes and Gardens presents nearly 100 works developed both outdoors and in the studio, spanning landscape, botanical and urban subjects. From quick observational studies to larger finished paintings, the exhibition celebrates the diversity of approaches, materials and perspectives within the group, while sharing a collective appreciation for place, observation and the changing character of the natural world.
Click here to view the press release, and social graphics, so you can shout about our exhibition – thank you for your support!
Exhibition Artists
Abigail Waddell (@awaddellart), Andrew Mill (@andrew.m111), Angelica Pownall (@angelica_pownall), Anne Elliott (@anneelliott1441), Becky Martin, Caitlin Wilson (@caitlinwilsonceramics), Charlie Peacock (@charliepeacockart), Charlotte May, Chloe Duncan (@chloeduncan_art), Chloe Spindlove, Chris Dye (@chrisd_paint), Chris Shopland (@cjshopland_art), Connel W. Francis (@connel.art), Connor Cox (@cnnr.cx), David Watts (@davidwatts_art), Eddy Freshman (@eddy.freshman), Effie Lomax (@effie__art), Elham Talay Minaei (@ellie.t.minaei), Eliza Vizard (@elizaviz_art), Fi Smith (@fiwalksandpaints), Fiona Read (@fionareadart), Frances Cooley (@frances.cooley.artist), Gail Reid (@gailreidartist), Gemma McLaughlin (@whitevenice.art), Georgina Dawson (@dawson.georgina), Hannah (@hannah_bristol_art), Helena Traill (@helenatraill), Ian Staniland, Jenny Ibrahim, Joe Tymkow (@joetymkow), Jon Baker (@jonbakerartuk), Joss Lopez (@josslopez_art), Kim Reed (@kreedartist), Laurence Kell (@lauren.kell), Lois Pearson (@_lois_pearson), Lucy Steward (@lucyinthecotswolds), Matthew Spence (@mattsartist), Mike Matthews, Neil Watson (@neilwatsonart), Nick Holly / Jacob Fear (@curbsideethos), Nigel Smith (@stopmostudios), Oliver Parker, Paul Driver (@screwy.art), Rebecca Down (@rbeccca.art), Rob Elgar (@rob.elgar), Simon Thomas (@simonlthomas), Tamsin Johns (@dartmoorandcoast), Tanya Voronina (@tanya_voronina_art), Tom Hughes (@tomhughespainting), Vaswar Mitra (@vaswardrawingandprocess), Will Sabido (@willsabido), Glen Berning (@glenberningart), Jack Miller (@jackmillerdrawings).
With thanks
To all 50 artists, for creating your wonderful work, and being a part of this exhibition and the group. To Neil Watson, for building our fabulous website. To Connel and Adam for the weekend of hanging the artworks! To all the volunteers, artists, friends, family members and local businesses who have supported us.
Organiser: Helena Traill, with help from nooh Studio
Curators: Helena Traill and Connel W. Francis
Advisor: Anne Elliott
Jurors: Connor Cox, Effie Lomax and Gail Reid
