A Year Since Colston - What Next?

On the 7th June 2020, all eyes turned to Bristol as the focus of the uprising triggered by the murder of George Floyd in the US reached our city.

After Colston fell, an intense conversation was reignited across the globe; how should we remember those with contentious histories? For many this was a moment of release and relief, for others it felt like an attack on their history and culture.

As part of a community arts programme by collaboration with Bristol-based artist, Colin Moody, St Pauls Carnival piloted a programme of workshops with 4 secondary schools, taking in a canvas with the iconic shot of the protestors heaving Colston into the harbour. The canvases were used to create a workshop for young people focusing on themes of activism, ‘everyday activism’, the impact of those events and what they hoped for Bristol’s future now the statue is gone.

Both Bristol filmmaker Micheal Jenkins and Green Party Councillor Cleo Lake were also recipients of this canvas and used them to gauge the thoughts of the public.

On Saturday 12th June we were joined by Activist Jen Reid, photographer Colin Moody, filmmaker Micheal Jenkins, politician Cleo Lake, Creative and Activist Ngaio and a teacher and students from Montpelier High School (formally known as Colston Girl's School). We discussed A Year Since Colston - what next?