25 March, 2015

Press Release

For immediate release

Celebrating Age Festival seeks work from local artists with a ‘green’ theme

IT’S time for creative over 50s to shine - Bristol’s Celebrating Age Festival which starts this autumn is calling for entriesfor its annual art competition.

This year’s festival which runs from 27 September – 11 October will have a ‘green’ theme to reflect Bristol Green Capital.

Events will be taking place in Bristol neighbourhoods during the two weeks as well as a main launch event at M Shed, harbourside on Sunday 27 September - where prizes will be awarded to three successful artists and their work will be displayed.

Celebrating Age Festival Deputy Chair Judith Brown says they are looking for art entries ‘in any medium’ from paintings and sculptures to collage and tapestry.

She says: “ I feel really excited about this, there is so much mature talent in Bristol I want everyone to show the city what they can do. If you live in Bristol and are over 50, we look forward to receiving your entries - which should reflect the green theme of the Celebrating Age festival.

“We are looking for 50 shades of green! Entries could be of the city farm, your allotment, or local landscapes. They could be made out of recycled materials or reclaimed wood but all entries should be no bigger than 3ft by 3ft.”

Chief Executive of Age UK Mark Baker said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for those of 50 and above to celebrate their skills and interests. When people see the work displayed they will be amazed at the wealth of talent we have in this age-friendly city.”

All entries must be submitted to central library on Saturday 29 August 2015, where a ballot box will be available there so people can vote for their favourite.

For more information about the competition contact Shelley Hankins, Services Manager, Age UK Bristol, Canningford House, 38 Victoria Street, Bristol BS1 6BY, email or call 0117 927 6614.

For further information about the festival go to

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Note to editors

Please find attached photos of last year’s event.

  • A range of exciting activities are planned in each neighbourhood of the city during the Celebrating Age Festival 2015 - which will be published in the official festival programme available at the end of August.
  • History of the festival

The Celebrating Age Festival was set up in 2007 in response to the Bristol's Quality of Life Strategy for Older People.
We understand that Bristol is in many ways a young city, with much of its culture and activity orientated towards young people. Our vision is to:

  • Recognise the positive value of older people and combat age discrimination
  • Place older people at the centre of thinking and planning of services
  • Actively promote independence and well being rather than just being reactive
  • Take a more ‘joined up’ approach to the delivery of services
  • Encourage social cohesion across the generations

The numbers of people attending has grown each year from approx 600 people in 2008 to over 4,000 people in 2014.

For further information or any press enquiries please contact Shelley Hankins, Services Manager, Age UK Bristol, Canningford House, 38 Victoria Street, Bristol BS1 6BY, email or call 0117 927 6614.