Developers support local arts project
The team behind The Chocolate Factory development in Greenbank has leant its support to a local community arts project aimed at empowering Bristol’s young people.
The #WhoseFuture initiative organised by local group Rising Arts Agency, sees huge outdoor art showcased across Bristol in spaces usually reserved for advertising.
Over 400 sites, managed by outdoor media agency Out of Hand, now feature the work of dozens of young Bristol artists. The artwork touches on subjects important to young people including the Black Lives Matter movement, climate change and the impact of the Covid-19 lockdown.
Generator South West, the developers bringing The Chocolate Factory in BS5 to life, have sponsored the project and say the artwork located on their hoarding facing the Bristol to Bath Railway Path brings colour, vibrancy and important messaging to the area.
Jason Schofield, Development Director at Generator South West, said: “The #WhoseFuture project is fantastic in so many different ways. Not only does it give young Bristol artists a platform to showcase their work in a way which has never before been possible, it also helps to highlight some of the social injustices the youth of our city are facing today.
“We’re pleased to be one of the sites in Bristol that people can see this phenomenal artwork and it’s great that the messaging around the perimeter of our site is very much focussed on positivity and togetherness. Art is a really important part of our community in BS5 so it’s vital to us that we continue to support it.”
The showcase celebrates a portfolio of bold visual multimedia imagery from Rising Art Agency’s network of young creatives aged 16-30. Their mission is to empower Bristol’s under-represented young people to fulfil their creative ambitions and to affect wider social change through the arts.
Rosa ter Kuile, #WhoseFuture Campaign Manager, commented: “As an arts agency, our mission has always been to champion the unheard voices of creative young people and to fight for a fairer society. Recent events have shown us that our work has never been so important.
“#WhoseFuture is about challenging the status quo, bringing Bristol’s young creative community forward and celebrating a different vision for the future.”
Rising Arts Agency worked with Out of Hand and Bristol City Council on the project, as well as Generator South West and The Burgh Arts Project which provided sponsorship.
The Chocolate Factory site by Generator South West will breathe new life into the former Elizabeth Shaw chocolate factory which stood derelict in Greenbank for many years.
Providing 140 new homes, including 36 shared ownership homes, the scheme will also boast a public square, workspace for local businesses, a community hub and a café/bar.
For more information visit www.chocolatefactorybristol.com
