while millions and millions of pounds are being spent re-vamping the broadmead shopping centre, it’s neighbour, stokes croft, is undergoing its own renaissance at a fraction of the cost.

chris chalkley, founder of the people’s republic of stokes croft [prsc], has done much over the last year to raise awareness of the neglect the area has suffered and to make it the artistic quarter of bristol. to this end, he has instigated the graffiti galleries along jamaica street, allowing artists to brighten up the street on a monthly basis. he has also facilitated the tarting up of several premises up and down stokes croft.

there are art groups all around bristol, but none of them have such an impact on the area. it appears the degeneration of stokes croft works in the favour of street art, with many possibilities for creative outlet. just take a look at some of the pieces you can see currently…

graffiti wall along jamaica street

strangely decorated electricity box outside jamaica street studios

nice stencil work on stokes croft

more politically-minded graffiti on stokes croft

anti-litter mural to clean up stokes croft

cool graffiti piece on stokes croft

chris also raised awareness of the state of westmoreland house on stokes croft last weekend with a parade to the building, where a series of boards painted by local artists was erected in the dilapidated� windows…

…and a mission to paint all the litter bins a bright yellow…

while the action may not have pulled as many spectators as might be hoped, it is serving its purpose, both raising awareness of the state of the area and bringing art to the streets of stokes croft.

in a way, i don’t want stokes croft to undergo any re-generation, as it’s likely to detract from the current opportunities available to street artists in the area!

my cry remains the same: MORE WALLS!!!

further reading:
people’s republic of stokes croft
bristol city council and stokes croft