A pioneering 12-week artist development residency building the next generation of Bristol artists through mentorship, creative development and real-world opportunities.
Rosie Wells
Artist, Founder, Arts & Cultural Strategist
Rosie is an artist, arts and cultural strategist, and creative consultant working across grassroots and mainstream storytelling. Her practice spans arts, brands, social, and factual programming, with a focus on sustainable cultural impact, artist development, and ecosystem building. She has extensive experience mentoring and advising artists and creative practitioners across different stages of their careers.
She is Founder & Creative Director of UNIT8 Studios and 3RD Space Creative CIC, supporting artists and creatives through space, resources, and opportunity. She is also a practising and exhibiting artist, with work held in private collections and shown across independent and institutional contexts including Dartington Hall, That Art Gallery, The Mount Without, and People’s Republic of Stokes Croft.
Artist Network & Cultural Institutions:
Channel 4 ● Argent Pictures ● TBWA ● Wieden+Kennedy ● LVMH ● Somesuch ● BBH ● COPA90 ● Red Arrow Studios ● Nike ● Adidas ● Hennessy ● IKEA ● PlayStation ● Michael Hoppen Gallery ● Southbank Centre ● Electronic Arts
Selected Collaborators & Recognition:
Dame Heather Rabbatts ● Adam Clayton ● The Chemical Brothers ● Alvin Hall ● Dr Joanna Vestey ● Jacqui Morris.
Work recognised by BAFTA ● D&AD ● Grierson Awards ● Aesthetica Art Prize ● The Webby Awards ● Delivered a keynote for PlayStation on culture and creativity ● Awarded a year-long bursary at Newlyn School of Art
Femi Idowu-Read
Artist, Designer & Founder
Femi Idowu-Read is an artist, designer, creative director, and cultural organiser working across sculpture, installation, immersive environments, and socially engaged practice. His work explores humanity’s relationship with nature through natural, reclaimed, and site-responsive materials.
In 2022, he received Arts Council England Developing Your Creative Practice (DYCP) funding to research British mythology, folklore, and the natural environment, developing skills in green woodworking and producing exhibitions at Three Pools Permaculture Farm in Abergavenny.
For the last 15 years, through S&T Ltd, Femi has designed and delivered large-scale installations and immersive environments across the UK music and festival sector.
He is Co-Founder & Director of UNIT8 Studios and Founder of 3RD Space Creative CIC, creating affordable creative spaces, workshops, mentoring, and community-led cultural programmes for artists and underrepresented creatives.
Artist Network & Cultural Institutions:
Shambala Festival ● Glastonbury Festival ● Boomtown Fair ● Project Lead at Team Love ● Educator at Big Team CIC ● Red Bull ● Adidas ● Hidden Corners ● Wild Screen
Selected Exhibitions & Recognition:
ACE DYCP Recipient ● Mentored by Jamie Green Former Director of Art De Monfort Uni ● Exhibiting at Stoberry Park - Beyond Horizons ● Strange Brew (Permanent Installation) ● Fringe Arts Bath ● Three Pools Artist in Residence (Permanent Installations)
2 Years
5 Residencies
30 Artists
M E N T O R S
PLEASE VIEW ON DESKTOP ONLY
Josephine Gyasi
Maintaining Your Wellbeing:
Strategies for Self-Care
Strategies for self-care, resilience, and building a sustainable creative practice during and beyond the residency.
Josephine Gyasi is a care-centred creative producer, facilitator, DJ, and ceramic artist whose practice focuses on inclusivity, community connection, and participatory cultural work.
Artist Network, Cultural Programmes & Exhibitions
Royal West of England Academy (RWA) ● St Paul’s Carnival ● Black Girl Convention ● Knowle West Media Centre ● MAYK ● Play:Disrupt ● FirstGens ● Glastonbury ● AfroBrunch ● Love Saves The Day ● Club Djembe
Claudia Kennaugh | Art & People
Professional Practice:
Visibility as an Artist
How to present and position your work in the art world, including artist statements, CVs, bios, pricing, and communicating with galleries and curators.
Claudia Kennaugh is the founder of Art & People, a Bristol based , internationally-minded, art advisory practice supporting artists, collectors, and cultural organisations.
Artist network, Cultural Programmes & Institutions:
Jackson’s Art Supplies ● Artes Mundi ● Bow Arts Trust ● Farnham Maltings ● Kindred Studios ● Spike Island ● Visual Artists Ireland ● Wimbledon Art Studios ● BBC One Make It at Market ● Fowlescombe Farm ● Noble Rot Mayfair ● The Millbrook Inn
Lara Monro | Working With
Financial Access:
Funding Your Practice
Navigating Arts Council and other funding applications, including writing about your work, budgeting, and sustaining a creative practice through grants and commissions.
Lara Monro, founder of Working With, is a creative strategist working with artists and collectives to develop and resource ideas into funded projects and long-term practice.
Artist Network, Cultural Programmes & Institutions:
Autre ● White Cube ● The Dot Project ● Open Space ● Work Show Grow ● Ceri Hand / Creative Mentor Network ● V&A ● I Like Networking ● Make Your Own Masters ● Art Meets Culture ● Sheroes ● Creative Lives In progress ● Second Home ● AnOther ● Condé Nast
Ade Sanusi | Art Meets Culture
Opportunity:
Art, Culture & Industry Pathways
Expanding professional networks and creating opportunities for artists to be seen by brands, institutions, and cultural partners.
Ade Sanusi is a Social Media Strategist and founder of Art Meets Culture (AMC), working across art, commerce, and media with over 16 years’ experience in cultural programming and campaigns.
Artist network, Cultural Programmes & Institutions:
Nike ● Adidas ● Coca-Cola ● Warner Brothers Games, Jägermeister ● Somerset House ● Wingstop ● art’otel London Hoxton ● State of the Art ● New Vanguard ● AMC Art Club
W O R K S H O P S
James Chen-Wishart
Artist, Curator & Educator
James Chen-Wishart is a New Zealand–Taiwanese contemporary artist and curator based in Bristol, working primarily through painting and portraiture to explore identity, emotional states, and transformation.
He works as a full-time internationally commissioned artist, exhibiting across independent and institutional contexts in the UK, and maintains an active presence within artist-led networks and contemporary art spaces. Alongside his studio practice, he teaches and mentors emerging artists through critique, dialogue, and exhibition-led development.
Exhibitions, Projects & Cultural Leadership:
Kit Form ● The Mount Without ● Cass Art ● OXO Gallery ● Battersea Arts Centre ● ICA ● VAWG ● Rough Trade ● The Jam Factory ● BA in Art Practice, Goldsmiths University of London ● PGCE in Art and Design, Reading University
Euella Jackson
Storyteller, Director & Founder
Euella Jackson is an award-winning presenter, filmmaker, and creative producer based in Bristol, and Co-Director of Rising Arts Agency, a youth-led social enterprise supporting underrepresented creative leaders aged 18–30.
Working across film, digital media, facilitation, and cultural leadership, she is recognised for championing social justice, inclusive storytelling, and innovative approaches to audience engagement.
Exhibitions, Projects & Cultural Leadership:
BBC ● BAFTA ● WWF ● Channel 4 ● Sony Pictures ● Bristol Climate & Nature Partnership ● Encounters Film Festival ● Bristol Commission for Race Equality, alongside a body of film work including Marked (Channel 4) ● Hats (BFI Network) ● What They Left (Blak Wave Productions) ● Named one of The Big Issue’s 100 Changemakers in 2025
P A N E L E X P E R T S
In just 14 days, a vacant Bristol warehouse was transformed into a fully immersive, multi-room contemporary art takeover, bringing together 22 artists across fine art, installation, live performance, ceramic and sonic work, for a 4 day pop up exhibition.
The project reignited excitement around Bristol’s independent contemporary art scene through a bold artist-led cultural intervention.
● 4 day pop-up exhibition
● 12 Local Artists
● 10 National & International Artists
● Emerging & Established
● 3 live performances
● 500+ Visitors
● 40k+ Instagram Impressions
● £1,700 Artwork Sales Generated
● 80% Sales Revenue to Artists
● £1,083 Generated Through Donations & In-Kind Support
● Curated by Rosie Wells
" I loved the journey of the whole night. The diversity throughout and then ending on performances really captured the essence of art in all its forms."
— Amie Zarz (Creative Fabricator)
“This exhibition felt like a real breath of fresh air for Bristol’s art scene, bringing together varied, emotionally resonant work that created a genuine sense of connection and reflected what’s happening in the world right now.”
— Amber Bardell (Artist & Curator)
T R A N S F O R M , E V E R Y T H I N G
"Transform, Everything was a hugely validating experience that gave me the confidence to exhibit alongside talented and established artists. It helped me connect with new audiences, build my creative network, and sell my work.
The exhibition has already opened up new opportunities, including being contacted by a curator who discovered my work at the show and invited me to take part in an upcoming exhibition at Kit Form."
– Prachhi Patel (Exhibiting Artist)
UNIT8 Studios (est. 2016) is an independent artist studios, creative co-working & cultural hub in St Werburghs, Bristol, supporting artists, makers, freelancers and creative businesses.
● 25+ Resident Community
● 2500+ Unique external audience per year
● Studios, workshops, events
● Painting, sculpture, pottery, 3D art, installation, music, fine art consultancy, ceramic, film + more
● 1k+ direct newsletter subscribers
● 5k+ Social Media Reach
● Extended communities & Artist Network
"Could not recommend UNIT8 Studios enough. Femi and Rosie go above and beyond to help you create the perfect space, and ask for little in return. It so much life and character, and that is what makes it so special! My exhitibition would not have been anywhere near as good without its' character and the support of Femi."
— Isis Blake (Artist & Curator)
“ Fantastic space, consciously and ethically run by a lovely bunch of people. ”
— Rachel Thornley
"Thank you to Unit 8 for hosting 'It Feels Like This', an exhibition exploring grief and creativity. The space itself is fantastic w/ lots of natural light, adaptable spaces to exhibit art & cosy places to sit. We were also allowed to play music during the event and the Unit 8 team served drinks making the whole experience perfect. Thank you again! "
— Dr. Lesel Dawson (Co-Director of the Good Grief Festival)
" Unit 8 is a bubbling community of artists, writers and creative folk. I loved having a space here! "
— Haley Joyes (Former UNIT8 Studios Tenant)
"A fantastic space, steeped in collective creativity and curiosity! A hidden gem in Bristol"
— Elijah Kellman (Multidisciplinary Artist)
U N I T 8 S T U D I O S
Ella Schofield-Lake | Jumbo Production
Art Installations & Bespoke Decor
Support Received
Strategy & Mentorship
What we did
1:1 Mentorship Sessions ● Project Management ● Budgeting & Finance ● Crew Management ● Conflict Resolution
Outcomes
Exhibition Event at UNIT8 Studios ● New Website Portfolio ● Comission and Exhibited at: Shangri-La Glastonbury, The Cause London, Boomtown Fair ● Focus & Clarity on Artistic Direction ● Gained +18k Instagram Followers
“Having the space and support to explore my ideas has been invaluable. Being surrounded by other creatives has helped me understand & overcome the challenges of the industry. I’ve learned so much, I couldn’t have done it without the guidance and support I received from Femi.”
Red
Digital Artist & Musician
Support Received
Free Studio Access & Coaching
What we did
1:1 Coaching Sessions ● Free Studio Access ● Artist Development ● Visibility, Public Voice & Positioning
Outcomes
Received 12k DYCP Funding ● Released Audio Visual Album ● Exhibited 3D Visual Art at LSTD & Bristol Beacon ● Audio Visual Music Launch at UNIT8 Studios ● Accepted onto BIG Team CIC artist development programme Next Level
“Working with Rosie & Femi was a dream! My experience was that of being totally understood, championed and inspired by the fabulous team.”
Engy Elboreini
Designer & Art Director
Support Received
Strategy & Mentorship
What we did
1:1 Mentorship & Creative Coaching ● Portfolio Audit & Re-Design ● Repositioning guidance ● Confidence building & career step change
Outcomes
Accepted onto Bristol Beacon Festival & Carnival Lab course ● Performed live at Glastonbury Fesitval, We Out Here Festival ● Developed & delivered workshop/events series ● New employment as Artist Community ● Coordinator at UNIT8 Studios + Advisory Board for Booty Base CIC
“Rosie is a powerful strategist who is quick to innovate towards problem solving, expand on ideas, slot into different universes and help guide the way. Coaching with them has had a pivotal impact on my professional and personal life”
Josephine Gyasi
Artist & DJ
Support Received
Free Studio Access & Coaching
What we did
1:1 Coaching Sessions ● Free Studio Access ● Artist Development ● Integration into Artist Community
Outcomes
Exhibited at RWA x2 ● Elected as Rising Arts Board Member ● Produced soundscapes for: Oroko Radio & Soho Radio
“The opportunity to work from UNIT8 Studios played a pivotal role in my development as an emerging creative. The environment was inspiring, supportive and gave me access to a community that genuinely helped me grow.”
C A S E S T U D I E S
P A R T N E R S H I P S
KIT FORM is a vibrant, artist-led creative space and community hub located in the heart of Stokes Croft in central Bristol. Housed beneath the historic Jamaica Street Studios (est. 90s), the multi-disciplinary venue hosts a diverse mix of exhibitions, live performances, club nights, talks, and hands-on workshops.
Rising Arts Agency is a youth-led not-for-profit, established in 2016, that supports underrepresented young creatives (aged 18 - 30) in Bristol take up space as leaders, artists, producers and consultants. Rising delivers youth-led training, consultancy and campaigns for people and organisations who want to do things differently, but aren't sure how.
Out of Hand are embedded in the Bristol arts, music and cultural industry since the companies inception in the mid 90's. With over 20yrs experience, they understand the industry and know what works to ensure their outdoor campaigns are a success.
Bristol Beer Factory are on a mission to unite people over world-class beer. To BBF, COMMUNITY IS EVERYTHING which is why they DONATE 2% OF EVERY BREWERY SALE to local charities/CICs RAISING UP our city. They are on track to raise £1 MILLION for good causes in just 4 YEARS. They do this by donating stock, space and sponsorship, helping charities flip pints into pounds. 100% is kept by the community, for the community.
"3RD Space Creative CIC’s proposed Take Root Residency is an exciting and much needed development programme within Bristol’s arts ecology. Through their work at UNIT8 Studios, Femi Idowu-Read and Rosie Wells have established themselves as important community organisers and cultural facilitators within the city, creating spaces where creative experimentation, collaboration and professional development coexist."
Tabitha Clayson - Cultural Development Officer (Bristol City Council)
