Events & Exhibitions
Reclaiming Tomorrow Part II ( The Island) Autumn 2025
What a week we had at The Island.
Reclaiming Tomorrow part II was a resounding success starting with a beautiful opening night, and continuing with 3 more days of exhibiting the amazing array of works our artists created for this show.
We had so much fun putting this exhibition on. The sheer amount of artwork our artists created meant curating an extremely diverse group show.
You showed up to support us, buying original pieces, prints, cards and postcards. All of this is so important to our artists and to us as a charity. We say it time and time again, but when you purchase anything at all from us, you really are changing lives and giving these artists the confidence to keep moving forward in a positive way.
A huge thank you again to @theisland for having us! We’ll be back 🙂
Reclaiming Tomorrow Part I (St Georges) Summer 2025
Psychedelic Tiger by The Artists of HMP Bristol
The Psychedelic Tiger is an impressive collaborative project made by members of Prodigal Arts weekly art classes at HMP Bristol.
Over 20 artists contributed to its development over the course of several months. First starting out as a series of colourful paper marbling experiments, these papers were dried and collaged together. The tiger was chosen by the group as a symbol for strength, courage, protection and adaptability in the face of uncertainty.
At our July exhibition at St Georges Hall, we held a silent auction for our beloved Psychedelic Tiger and we are please to announce that The wonderful people at Noah’s Ark Zoo were the successful bidders!
And ties in very nicely with their soon to arrive new addition to the zoo, their very own resident Tiger.
A Winter Exhibition 2022
Colin:
“After studying art at the open university, I continued to pursue my newfound passion and started to work with Prodigal Arts in prison. Prodigal Arts gives me something to strive for… I am now pursuing my art outside. Art has encouraged me to look further into other arts and crafts, and as I am now in my retirement. Art allows me to connect to other people and during lockdown Facebook and zoom meetings networking and chatting with other artists have been a godsend.”
Davey:
“Coming out into the world again, art gave me something to focus on and even though I’ve been ill quite a bit and my health hasn’t been that good its given me a distraction from my illness and built my confidence back up again. With your encouragement with the autumn project I have something to cling on to and get back into again.
well, It's been a godsend really, especially with lockdown and everything else that’s gone on, it’s given me something to focus on and now I have more opportunities, and also loads more ideas…
And also recently with the working in a sketchbook that’s another thing that you have encouraged me to get back into”
Ruinbow (Ashley):
“Prodigal has helped me a lot from supplying art materials to constructive criticism which has helped me progress. I had a spark of talent upon my release and prodigal has enabled that flame to run wild. I am deeply passionate about art and I think about the process and techniques artists have applied to create their art as well as the meaning behind it.”
Nicholas:
“Prodigal Arts has helped me greatly. The ongoing briefs and projects have given me a positive focus to fill my time both on the inside and out. Being able to see my work as a finished product has given me a real sense of achievement.
It can be, and has been, difficult to stay positive while out in the real world dealing with the consequences of my actions. Having a mentor to keep encouraging and developing ideas helps distract from the negativity.”
Artist Testimonials
Andrew:
“The venue made the 'polished' exhibition shine even more, I felt really proud that my work was on show in such a perfect location. Although I've been involved with Prodigal Arts from the start, this was the first time I've seen the positive impact of what we do, collectively, in real time. I was incredibly touched and inspired by the praise we all got from those who attended. I left the show feeling lucky to have met the sponsors and everyone who made it such a success, and I will always treasure their genuine, positively-heartfelt comments.”
Still life… interrupted, 2022. (Andrew)
Breath of Life, 2022. (Davey)
Private View Testimonials
“Wonderful art - keep going!”
“Beautiful show! Great Charity, well organised and most of all, astonishing artwork.”
“Witty, talented and exciting!”
“Andrews drawings are beautiful and very considered - love the embossing in one in particular”
“Love the colours in Colins paintings - a grasp of colour I have not seen in a long time”
Our Town, 2021. (Colin)
Our cohort of ‘Creatives on the Out’ have been busy producing artwork over the last two years, and we are now incredibly excited to be putting on our first exhibition since the pandemic.
‘Art in Lockdown’ represents how the creative arts can be an incredibly powerful outlet during times of uncertainty. Our creatives have used this time to nurture their talents, finding a sense of self-worth and satisfaction by creating a range of exciting and inspired artworks.
The show willgive insight into the hard work and creative persistence our artists have demonstrated as we’ve navigated through the murky waters of the last couple of years, and how they have triumphed with art despite the unpredictability of the times.
