Art competition to honour Bristol Bus Boycott
The winning designs will be displayed on bus stops across the city
Special artworks honouring the UK's civil rights movement could soon be displayed on bus stops across Bristol.
A competition called Designs4Change has begun asking artists to design pieces celebrating the Bristol Bus Boycott and other significant events pursuing racial equality.
Announced by the group Curiosity UnLtd and advertising company Clear Channel UK, it will see three winning designs displayed on 45 of Clear Channel's printed screens at bus stops across Bristol.
The Bristol Bus Boycott in 1963 saw many people in the city refuse to ride the bus, because of a ban on black drivers and conductors.
The action eventually saw the ban overturned and led to the UK's first Race Relations Act in 1965, which made racial discrimination in a public place illegal for the first time.
Julz Davis from Curiosity UnLtd said: "Inspired by the civil rights activist Rosa Parks, when she sat down, Bristol stood up and marched for jobs, freedom, and equal rights and on the day they defeated the Colour Bar, Martin Luther King gave his iconic I Have A Dream Speech."
"Over the past year, Curiosity UnLtd has been leading on a city-wide commemoration of the Boycott.
"So far, we've co-created 83 events with 48 change-making partners.
"Building on this, Designs4Change will help to raise awareness and pride further.
"I can't wait to see people's awesome submissions."
With the help of the Bristol Bus Boycott pioneers, Designs4Chnage was officially launched during Race Equality Week.
To launch the competition, some of the pioneers of the Bristol Bus Boycott met at a bus stop currently advertising it.
In 1963, Barbra Dettering joined the Boycott as a protestor.
She said: "I marched because I wanted to right a great wrong and thanks to those who led and supported the Boycott, we achieved our goal.
"I'm proud of what we did, and whilst Bristol is a better city because of what we achieved, we cannot afford to be complacent as many wrongs still need to be corrected.
"As part of that, I hope this competition inspires the next generation of activists to learn about the importance of what can be achieved when you protest peacefully and with a positive purpose.
"I wish all those who enter the competition good luck."
Designs4Change has three age categories, and the competition is open to all, regardless of your design style, talent level, or background.
For more information and inspiration and to enter follow this link.
Entries must be submitted by midnight on July 11, 2024.