Sparks Bristol Turns One! 
 

Sparks, Bristol’s unique sustainable department store, education and arts hub celebrates its first birthday on 13th May 2024! You’re invited to celebrate in store on the 11th and 12th May.

One year since opening, Sparks Bristol has welcomed over 490,000 visitors, supported 172 local independent ethical traders and inspired 2,529 children and young people through educational workshops. 

As with everything at Sparks, the anniversary plans have sustainability at their heart. As World Fairtrade Day falls on the anniversary weekend, join a Nicaraguan Fairtrade farmer at our Fair and Fabulous afternoon tea, with food and drinks tastings from local, ethical food suppliers, to learn why producing good food is so important for our health and the health of the planet. Book here and pay what you can. https://hdfst.uk/e107579

A giant interactive birthday cake made from recycled materials will be in store, with plenty of free activities; drop-in clothing mending workshops, life drawing classes (fully clothed!), zine-making using recycled materials in “waste is a lack of creativity” workshops. If you’d like to find out more about the project and see behind the scenes at Sparks you can join a building tour. 

There are plenty of free activities for kids and adults such as badge and flag making from recycled materials, storytelling, circus skills, a soft play set, eco face painting, make-up, and bags of sustainable glitter. The first-floor Department of Imagination will also be open with an exhibition and pop-up art sale from Artspace Lifespace artist studio holders. 

On Saturday 11th, free music events are taking place on the first floor. From midday record breaker Ian Gilson will be hosting a Karaoke and open mic session and from 4pm DJs Josephine Gyasi and Booty Basser Ngaio, whose second single from their EP drops on May 2nd, will be raising the roof.

The Department of Fashion have had fun putting together a St Michael collection that pays homage to the iconic clothing line that was sold in M&S from 1927 until 2000. Each piece will be dated and described for you to see how fashion has changed through the years, both in terms of style and the materials used.

Sparks have many creative ideas to help Bristol towards its goal of becoming net zero by 2030. They rely on public and private donations,if you’d like to be part of this groundbreaking project, please head to sparksbristol.co.uk/donate.

If you come to the party be sure to bring a present! Aidbox Community are collecting to support refugees in Bristol. Clothes, toiletries, sanitary items, small electrical items & other essentials will all be gratefully received.

PROGRAMME: https://sparksbristol.co.uk/birthday/