Caraboo Projects is a non-profit contemporary visual-arts space co-founded in 2018 by a group of artists, educators, and other specialists in the creative sector. Caraboo is dedicated to building an accessible art space in Bedminster that promotes experimentation and education across disciplines.
We are launching a new contemporary visual art space in Bedminster, Bristol. We would love to hear from people who are interested in getting involved on any size or scale and support the development of this project! Currently we are taking up residence in part of a derelict printing factory just off East Street which will house an exhibition and workspace and 12 studio spaces for local artists wanting to engage with Bedminster and in Caraboo activities. The building on Stafford Street 'The Works' is run by Gathering Voices' and their Creative Outreach & Leadership Programme, which is revitalising disused retail, commercial and industrial buildings, creating a cultural quarter in BS3 in order to provide affordable spaces for developing creatives, including digital and fine arts, performing arts and music.
Why you should back this campaign:
By backing our campaign you will be supporting our planned year long programme at Caraboo Projects and other public spaces in Bedminster. This will include 4 ambitious one month exhibitions, workshops, talks, meals, screenings and a variety of weekend events. We will also be using some of the funds to build and maintain professional exhibition and workspace facilities that will be free and open to the public 5 days a week during exhibition periods.
Maintaining a gallery space is no straightforward task and requires plenty of voluntary time from passionate people including artists, technicians, workshop facilitators, marketing, fundraising, invigilators. We aim to build a sustainable platform and are committed to supporting emerging art practices and developing careers through providing financial and professional support.
We will be working with residents of Bedminster and the wider Bristol area, businesses, schools and universities, artists and curators and other arts organisations from Bristol and the UK.
The Launch:
Our first public exhibition will open on Friday 21st September ‘Watching Limbo’ which will coincide with Encounters International Film Festival and including the work of Olwyn Carrol, Kris Lock, Vicky Smith and Paddy Gould & Roxy Topia. We will be celebrating the launch with an evening of performance and drinks and for all of our backers, we extend a personal invitation to join us there.
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO CHECK OUT THE LIST OF THE REWARDS WHICH INCLUDES ONE OFF ARTWORKS, ARTIST EDITIONS AND WORKSHOPS:
Caraboo Projects Tote Bag Printed by student from PROPS (Providing Opportunities and Support) and including stickers - £10
Hand Pin by Sophie Alda & Tote bag - £20
Caraboo #Newnails mug & Brooch - £30
C-Type Print by John O'Hare - £30
Oil Spot Mug by Phil Root - £40
Woodcut on Japanese paper by Mary Roberts Holmes - £60
Rocket Vase by Sophie Alda - £60
Limited edition ceramic artwork by Lindsey Mendick - £80
2 x sessions Slab building workshop with artist Phil Root - £90
4 places available which are suitable for any level. Make some slab built sculpture or functional ware with Caraboo artists Phil Root at his Bristol studio. Two x three hour sessions, first session building and bisque firing a work, second session glazing the work.
3 x sessions Japanese Woodblock Printing Workshop with artist Rowan Shaw- £130
5 places available which are suitable for beginners. The workshop will take place over 3 sessions (10am-2.30pm) in Autumn and includes, carving, printing and experimentation. Each participant can take a basic set of carving tools, their own woodblock & set of prints and a supporting handbook away with them.
Limited Edition Etching by Oliver McConnie - £150
1 x Available (1) An Apparition | 2014 | Etching (Edition 30) | 19.5x17.5cm
1 x Available (2)Personae | 2016 | Etching (Edition 30) | 12x15cm
SOLD OUT (3)Sloth King | 2014 | Etching (Edition 30) | 17x15.5cm
Limited Edition Risograph Print by Steve Bishop -£230
In a scene in the film Pretty Woman (1990) Richard Gere and Julia Roberts simulate a liaison on top of a piano. The sounds made by their limbs hitting the keys was overdubbed in post-production. This is a musical notation of that dubbing.
Original artwork by Paddy Gould and Roxy Topia - £385
Original ceramic artwork by Phil Root - £400
Oil Painting on board by Phil Root - £850
Breakdown of funding: Minumum required £6,000
Although we have secured our space we really need the funds from this Kickstarter to enable us to carry out our annual programme of events. We have worked out the minimum funding required is £6000 and this will go towards artists fees, materials and transportation of artworks, publicity and marketing.
We have tried to put together a range of great rewards in order to make backing this project really worthwhile. Please remember that we don’t get a single penny of our funding unless we reach our goal, so we can’t stress enough how every amount, no matter how small, really matters to us. If you can’t afford to donate then please share our campaign with friends, family, colleagues and anyone who you think might be interested in supporting an independent arts space.
A massive thank you for making this project happen from all of the Caraboo team!
Risks and challenges
We now have the keys to our new space in Bedminster and it will be secure for the next year. We will be covering the overheads of our space through the sub-letting of studios.
We have also been working with artists in preparation for our programme including the first 2 exhibitions which are well underway. We are certain that the remaining challenge is the uncertainty of raising the budget to support the artists and programming cover costs. We are also applying to other funding for the programme to combine with the raised funds from Kickstarter.
Between the Caraboo team we have extensive experience of planning and executing complex exhibitions and events, and we are confident that we will be able to produce the events programme to a tight deadline and within budget.
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Funding period
- (32 days)