(Art)chitecture by Charlotte Vallance: Arnolfini, Bristol

Bristol is an amazing city in itself, but once every two years the Arnolfini is home to BABE – the Bristol Artist Book Event – over two days in April.  It’s in a gorgeous location, right on the waterfront, surrounded by Bristol’s iconic cranes and colourful buildings.  A short walk from the town center, with nearby shops, restaurants, bars and cafes it’s a great place to plan a trip to.

The Arnolfini itself is a gallery/space for contemporary art and always has interesting exhibitions on as well as talks and workshops. It was founded in 1961 and moved to its current location in 1975. At the time, the building was a near-derelict warehouse on Bristol’s floating harbor, which sparked an urban renewal project that brought life back to the harbor. The rooms are lovely and spacious with high ceilings and wide corridors.  They also have an excellent book shop, for a browse and perhaps a cheeky purchase after your look around.  You can then relax in their cafe, which serves drinks and food until late.

Get in touch with the author @charlsvallance and check out her blog.  Check back every other Wednesday for the next installation of (Art)chitecture by Charlotte Vallance.