Sticking to the literary theme by placing Paul in a former newsagent – Paul is a poet, visual artist and publisher. He’s had a dozen books published of his poetry, visual poetry, collage & text art, including a number of collaborative works. His visual work has been exhibited in London at The Museum of Futures, The Poetry Cafe, Rich Mix, The Gallery Cafe and in Bristol, Sheffield & Bournemouth. He will engage with the local community with exhibitions, performances, book launches, talks & Poem Brut events. He works gesturally and instinctively, working with collage, paint, ink, photography & text. He co-curated the exhibition, launch events and catalogue Photo Poetry SURFACES for The Bristol Photo Festival 2021. Paul runs Creative Writing workshops with Knowle West Media Centre and Man Alive, a men’s support group in Knowle West. He co-runs Hesterglock Press

Public Programme

Paul’s ongoing plans for the space include: a group Photo Poetry exhibition, a series of workshops and book launches by local and other UK artists that he has planned to publish through his publishing company, Hesterglock Press. Paul will also create an ongoing collaborative visual poetry exhibition that would begin when he starts to use the space and invitations will be made to the local public/schools/social/community centres to attend collaborative making new work days once a month.

Gary Topp Executive Director of the Arnolfini, Bristol

Gary Topp has been the Arnolfini s Executive Director since February 2019 taking the organisation through a period significant change and progress to re-establish Arnolfini as a leading UK centre for contemporary arts in a partnership with University of the West of England. He has been chief executive of a range of cultural organisations across the UK and in Australia over a 30- year career including Yorkshire Culture, Greening Australia and Culture Central. Gary began his career as a visual arts curator and museums manager in Dorset and Teesside. He has extensive leadership experience working within the context of social and economic change and placemaking. He is Chair of Trustees at the Leach Pottery, an FRSA and holds a number of other board and advisory roles.