Now showing at Sparks Bristol (Ground Floor) throughout September
This September, Sparks Bristol hosts an exhibition curated by Bristol Women’s Voice that brings together the voices and creativity of Bristol’s caring community. “Shine a Light on Care” features handcrafted lanterns and strike placards created by women and carers across the city to advocate for greater recognition and support of mothers, parents, and carers in workplaces and society.
The Story Behind the Exhibition
Between October 2024 and March 2025, Bristol Women’s Voice, supported by Lamplighter Arts CIC, organised ten lantern-making workshops that engaged approximately 200 women from diverse communities across Bristol. The project extended its reach through partnerships with local organisations including:
- Mothers for Mothers in Hartcliffe
- Dhek Bhal in Barton Hill
- Sagada in Stapleton Road
- Bring Your Own Baby Choir in St George
- Chinese Community Wellbeing Society in Fishponds
Additional workshops took place in Central Bristol and Southmead, ensuring representation from across the city’s communities.
The exhibition also features placards created as part of the Carers Strike project by the Invisible Army. These powerful pieces display messages from carers responding to the question: “If you were to join a carers strike, what would be written on your placard?” The results offer an unfiltered glimpse into the challenges and aspirations of those who provide essential care in our communities.
From Workshop to Public Procession
The lanterns and placards made their public debut on Saturday 22 March during a lamplight procession through Bristol’s old town. This “Shine a Light on Care” march brought the often-invisible work of caring into public view, demonstrating both the creative talents of carers and their call for meaningful societal change.
The Caring Economy Campaign
The exhibition supports the broader Value the Caring Economy Campaign, which encourages employers to actively identify and support carers within their workforce.
This initiative recognises that caring responsibilities affect a significant portion of the working population and that appropriate workplace support benefits both employees and businesses.
Visit the Exhibition
The “Shine a Light on Care” exhibition runs throughout September at Sparks Bristol on the ground floor. The display offers visitors an opportunity to engage with the creative output of Bristol’s caring community while considering the important questions raised about support systems for carers.
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The exhibition demonstrates the intersection of creativity, community engagement, and social advocacy, providing a platform for voices that are often overlooked in workplace and policy discussions.