Synopsis
Wild Spaces was a participatory public art commission for the University of Bristol’s Public Art Programme for Bristol Temple Quarter, 2024-2026.
The residency commission was led by Room 13 Hareclive: an award-winning independent artists’ studio co-run by children at Hareclive Primary School in Hartcliffe, South Bristol, since 2003. Over 18 months, the arts collective worked with University of Bristol researchers and partners from the Bristol Avon Rivers Trust, leading a creative engagement programme focused on Bristol’s waterways.
With the waterfront at Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus as the starting point, the collective explored new water-based connections between themselves, people, place and nature. Children, young people and adults explored the route of the Pigeonhouse Stream and the River Avon, from its source at Dundry Slopes through Hartcliffe and Bristol city centre to Severn Beach, through walks, boat trips and train journeys.
Inspired by these experiences, and the human threats to our waterways, they created a film and hosted public screenings to highlight the urgent importance of protecting the river networks that provide a habitat for wildlife across the city.
You are invited to view the film – Rivers – A Race Against Time, either in it’s entirety or in the episodes below.
The film follows Mole, Toad, Otter and children as they search for missing Water Vole, following the water from Dundry Slopes to the River Severn, discovering beauty, making friends, learning new things, sensing threats to rivers and choosing to help and make things better.
The film premiered at a special blue carpet screening with more than 100 guests. The premier organised by Room 13 included a panel discussion and the masks and props from the film on display around the room, with a special blue carpet running through the middle, looking like a river. All of the children involved were dressed in blue.
The story is co-written by children aged 5 – 11, three older children from Room 13 and the adult team: artist co-founders Shani Ali and Paul Bradley, and writer/development worker Ingrid Skeels. Masks and costume were made by children and Paul Bradley. Children were central to acting, voice, directing and costume.
The film was therefore researched, created and co-produced by the children and was accompanied by a billboard campaign across Bristol in July and August 2026.
This project makes us feel special because children don’t usually get chosen for opportunities like this. You might not think children in Hartcliffe can do this kind of thing, but we can. We are imaginative, creative and have lots of good ideas. I feel good about this project because we can make the river interesting – and it might prevent people from throwing things in the river.Ten-year-old Honey Co-Chair Person and Shop Manager, Room 13 Hareclive
Wild Spaces is one of three public art commissions for the new campus. The other artists involved in creating artworks for the new campus are Wood and Harrison for the public Realm Commission and Ellie Shipman for Charting Change.
The public art programme for the Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus was developed to embed creativity into the new campus, using artist-led commissions to encourage creative exchange and connection between the University and the wider city. The artworks are designed to spark curiosity, inspire imagination and create a welcoming place for all.
The programme was delivered in partnership with the University of Bristol and the Contemporary Art Society *Consultancy and secured through Bristol’s Public Art Policy as part of the Art and the Public Realm programme.
We’ve loved working with Room 13 and seeing how the rivers and routes from Hartcliffe to Temple Quarter sparked so much imagination. The commission focussed on a programme of activities rather than the development of a permanent artwork, so the adults and children involved were free to pursue small moments of inspiration and creativity’.Megan O’Shea, Senior Art Producer, Contemporary Art Society *Consultancy
We know that it is through knowledge and experience of nature that children and people of all ages can better care about it. This is a wonderful creative opportunity for Room 13 artists young and old. It is also an important and much needed chance to better connect Hartcliffe children and young people with the University, education and learning as well as with their city and a sense of belonging.Ingrid Skeels Co Worker and Writer, Room 13 Hareclive
Working with Room 13 has been a brilliant opportunity for the University; not only to support their distinctive approach to socially engaged arts practice, but also to learn from their inspiring model of creative collaboration with children.Martha Crean Public Art Engagement Manager, University of Bristol
