We love working in Bristol and supporting the Bedminster community, where our studio is located. So when we heard about the Bedminster Bugs initiative, we didn’t hesitate to sign up to decorate our building with a beautiful beastie. This explains why we currently have a bright yellow Bed bug lurking on the front of our print centre frontage, and we’ve been tickled by the surprised expressions on people’s faces when they head down to Bedminster to tick off all 83 of the bugs on the trail (we’re number one, by the way!).
Jointly organised by the Upfest Gallery on North Street, and the Bedminster Town Team, we caught up with Upfest arts director Steve Hayles to find out more. He said: “The bugs project was funded by the Bedminster Town Team from the money they got through the Mary Portas scheme to rejuvenate some of Britain’s high streets.
“The bug trail has been going very well. Families and children have really enjoyed them. We’ve had people come bug spotting from all over the country, including some elderly ladies from London. I think we’ve handed out about 7,000 bug trail maps, which is a pretty good indication of how popular it’s been!”
BUG FACT: The Minuteman Press Bristol’s bug was painted by local illustrator Dom Williams, a member of the Cretin Collective.
