THIS EXHIBITION HAS NOW CLOSED. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR CURRENT EXHIBITIONS

18 June 2021 - 6 Jan 2022 | FREE | Off-site

We are taking a selection of vibrant and colourful artworks from our permanent collection to community venues across Bristol, as a pop-up exhibition, during the time that the RWA building is closed for renovation. The title, Varekai, is a Romani word meaning 'wherever'. It comes from one of the paintings in the exhibition which depicts Le Cirque du Soleil performing a show of the same name. 

The exhibition comprises 9 paintings that all have great energy, vibrancy and a distinct sense of the outdoors about them. They were chosen to inspire and delight, as we all come out of lockdown and reconnect with each other and the places around us. The real places depicted include a mine in Wales, the pier at Weston Super Mare and the streets of Bristol, whilst others are dreamlike and imaginary. Kite-flying in Rajasthan and a French circus performance are captured in bright colour, and there are also bold paintings of plants and creatures to enjoy.

To accompany the exhibition, free family art workshops with an artist will run at several venues. Click here for more info and to book. 

Easton Community Centre: 18 June - 2 Aug (Family workshop 31 Jul 1:30- 3:30pm)

Kilburn St, Easton, Bristol BS5 6AW

Barton Hill Settlement: 5 Aug - 31 Aug 

Settlement Barton Hill, 43 Ducie Rd, Barton Hill, Bristol BS5 0AX

BCL South: 1 Sept - 24 Sept (Family workshop 4 Sept 10:30am-12:30pm)

Bristol Community Links South, Langhill Avenue, Avon, Bristol BS4 1TN

St Paul's Learning Centre: 25 Sept - 28 Oct (Family workshops, Sat 9 and 23 Oct, 10am-12.30pm)

94 Grosvenor Road, St Pauls Bristol, BS2 8XJ

Wellspring Healthy Living Centre: 30 Oct - 26 Nov

Beam St, Barton Hill, Avon, Bristol BS5 9QY

Greenway Centre, Southmead : 27 Nov 2021 - 6 Jan 2022 (Family workshops, Mon 6 and Wed 8 Dec, 4.30pm – 6.30pm)

Doncaster Rd, Bristol BS10 5PY

For all enquiries please contact Helen Jacobs, Learning & Participation Manager at helen.jacobs@rwa.org.uk.

The exhibition is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Foundation.

Activity Sponsors:

Image: Varekai (Wherever) - RWA Pop-up Exhibition, installation view, Easton Community Centre, 2021. Photo: @AliceHendyPhotography