Jo Chalkblack – See listed commissions and collaborations below.

As a social practice artist and creative producer, my work centres on collaboration with communities —particularly those who face barriers to engagement and participation. I focus on co-creating outcomes that foster belonging, support community cohesion, and invite collective re-imagining and meaning-making through creative expression. 

My practice is rooted in interdisciplinary collaboration and is often shaped by the needs and voices of those who are underrepresented or feel disempowered due to systemic racism, prejudice, or a lack of access to resources. Together, we explore connections—to place, to one another, and to the natural world—through projects that are both reflective and action-oriented.

This work takes many forms: a collective deep-dive into local heritage; wellbeing-focused art and nature sessions in woodland spaces; co-designed climate-themed films with young people; narrative-led creativity with young children; immersive VR soundscapes and documentary walks; multigenerational story gathering; or performance-based, site-specific explorations of space and its meaning to a community. At its core, my practice is about creating inclusive, imaginative spaces where people can see themselves as authors of their own stories—and as co-creators of a shared future.

My practice is informed by over 16 years of experience working in adult drug and alcohol services and in youth services, and for the past 14 years, I have woven this knowledge into land-based, site-specific work—most often in rural or urban woodland environments. This grounded, ecological approach continues to shape a connected, embodied practice—one rooted in the cycles and transitions of the natural world. It is this deep relationship with place that fosters belonging, care, and creative imagination.

Through Our Place, Our Valley—a two-year, funded project involving a slow, creative mapping of my own community—it became increasingly clear that many local residents did not find equal access to these experiences, or a sense of belonging in nearby natural spaces. In response, I’ve spent the past year collaborating with local refugee families, young people, people with long-term health conditions or restricted mobility, and others facing barriers to access. Together, we have been testing and co-designing creative pathways that are specific to our community and embedded in the ecology of local relationships—with arts organisations such as Bricks, The Community Pottery, and Screenology, as well as with statutory services, charities, and grassroots groups.

The most impactful moments are found in touching the earth, in the hands-on making, in rich conversations, playful and authentic connection and deep listening and observation with the natural world. Art is often a way finder into this but also the collective expression of what is found. 

Also currently exploring how adaptive technologies can enable those in the community who experience barriers to connection with green spaces to access the natural world. Looking at how placemaking, story gathering, heritage, multi-cultural perspectives and technology can work together to make space for meaningful placemaking.

Image: research for Ode to the Ash Tree (managed by Courage Copse Creatives in association with Arts Council England. Collaboration with Chalkblack, Courage Copse Creatives and Shimnix film production).

Collaborative work and commissions

Most recent and current themes of collaborative work include;

• Current – BRISLINGTON COMMUNITY RECOVERY PROJECT – lead social artist alongside Maryam Abdil and Louisa Maynard (local community organisers) series community-led through a community network of neighbours and friends informally known as ‘The St Anne’s Group’ which has organically grown out of a Bristol Refugee Festival community event as the community emerged out of Covid pandemic. The core group of refugee and assylum seeking women has grown organically to broaden out to include other global majority community members and allies. Supported by Bricks Bristol. In response to the ‘race riots’ of summer 2024 BCC have released Bristol Communtiy Recovery Fund to bring communities together and strengthen relationships. Running from April 24 – April 25. 
• Current – FEEDER ROAD PROJECT –  Museum of Totterdown. Barton Hill History Group. (more details to come)
• Current – CHAIR OF FRIENDS OF BRISLINGTON BROOK – volunteer role.  Focusing on building up a stronger core team and volunteer group and engaging a younger population as the group was struggling to continue after older volunteers had dedicated themselves to running the group for 15 years. Including running year planning event, family activities, 24 hour bioblitz as well as regular volunteer sessions. Working with BCC Parks Team and Your Parks to look policy/procedure and new ways of working with 16 and 17year olds to be able to engage them in Parks volunteer groups more effectively.
• Current – CREATIVE CLIMATE ARTIST COMMISSION – Anna Haydock-Wilson are creating art and activities with local residents in Brislington, St Anne’s and Broomhill between April and July 2025 aiming to ‘bring to life’ some of Nature Actions listed in the Brislington Community Climate Action Plan. Commisioned through Bricks Bristol through a Catalyst Grant.
• Current – GREEN PRESCRIPTION ART & NATURE CONNECTION SESSIONS – pilot series of 6 with taster sessions for patient referral from Nightingale Valley Practice/Birchwood Medical Practice (Brooklea Medical Centre) in collaboration with EcoWild CIC supported by Connexus. Funded through Quartet Community Foundation and Healthier with Nature. Looking for further funding.
• Current – BRISLINGTON CLIMATE ACTION GROUP – core member of ongoing group looking at ways to engage community with the local climate action plan including the planning of locl Great Big Green Week – intitial focus bringing the local nature ‘friends of groups’ together to work together,  share resources and practice.
• Current – PRINTING THE COMMONS – artist collaborator on a new group exploring screen printing as an act of commons. Part of The Bristol Commons in collaboration with UWE
• BRISLINGTON CLIMATE ACTION PLAN – part of community-led gatherings bringing together a transformative climate and nature action plan for our community supported by Bricks Bristol and Bristol Climate and Nature Partnership funded by Communtiy Fund.
• Current – YOUTH CLIMATE ACTION FILM PROJECT Phase 2 – in collaboration with Bricks Bristol. Youth-led arts series looking at sustainable transport in line with local climate action plan. Funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Youth Climate Action Fund programme/Bristol City Council. Centre of Sustainable Energy.
• YOUTH CLIMATE ACTION FILM PROJECT Phase 1 – in collaboration with Bricks Bristol and Screenology Film School. Series of 8 sessions for 14 – 18year olds, Youth-led. Producing films which reflect their priorities/concerns around climate change. Funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Youth Climate Action Fund programme/Bristol City Council. 
• GREEN CONNECTIONS – in collaboration with Bricks Bristol. Series of 4 taster sessions series for nature connection and well being tailored towards those with limited mobility.
• Current – FEMINIST HISTORY GROUP – faciltated by John O’Connor and I as Museum of Totterdown. Community-led research group looking at the 50 years leading to the women’s vote – local women’s suffrage, women’s labour, women and prostitution, housing, infectious diseases act Supported by Gathering Voices through The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
• ST LUKE’S ROAD HERITAGE PROJECT – Totterdown as one of two of artists who run Museum of Totterdown based on community-owned land of Zone A in a shipping container, John O’Connor and I fascilitated a year-long community-led research project uncovering the community, businesses and livelihoods lost due to the domolisions to make way for the Bristol ring-road that was never built. Supported by Gathering Voices through The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
• WOMEN IN NATURE – 8 week art and nature connection pilot series for Refugee and Assylum-seeking women in Brislington. In collaboration with Soultrail Wellbeing CIC. Funded through West of England Healthier with Nature Green Prescribing provision. Sirona Care & Health.
• YOUTH SUMMER ACTIVITY PROGRAMME – lead artist in collaboration with Bricks Bristol and Screenology Film School, Hip Hop Garden. 4 day programme connecting young people with their local woodland spaces – St Anne’s Woods & Nightingale Valley.
• THE BRISTOL COMMONS – Core member establishing the beginning of the network. The Bristol Commons is a growing network of individuals, organisations and community groups aiming to support each other and create systemic change.  Part of the mapping sub-group and the core Heart Circle. Stepped aside to focus on Chair role in local conservation group but still connected with the network.
• THE SPACE BETWEEN MAPPING – SHED funded 18 month creative community mapping of barriers to the community’s use of green spaces (St Anne’s Woods and Nightingale Valley) in St Anne’s, Brislington. Working with BCC youth provision/Family Focus and BCC Comm Development team, Bricks Bristol (St Anne’s House).
• ART CLUB – Community engagement and one of 4 artists running workshops on Briz Hill in Brislington, six months funded project to re-engage the community with their high street through open access art sessions on the concourse. Delivered as one of the activities under the City Centre and High Streets Recovery and Renewal programme funded by Bristol City Council and WECA’s Love Our High Streets

• THE SPACE BETWEEN – currently scoping R&D project with Red Isaac which explores how storytelling and technology can deepen people’s connection to and embodiment of place and, more widely, the natural environment…seeding a community created immersive experience.  Partnering with BBC Rabbit Holes R&D on adaptive technology.

• TEMPLE QUARTER DEVELOPMENT YOUTH CONSULTATION Jan – March 23 – lead artist of team of 3 artists and a place consultant. Creatively consulting diverse young people about the future redevelopment of St Philips Marsh in inner city bristol. In collaboration with Screenology film students.
• BLEACHED – Joint project between Southampton University Marine Biology Dept (project lead – Professor Joerg Weidenman) and Vulgar Earth Environmental Collective. Artists interpreting the research undertaken by scientists working on coral reef project. First exhibition Gods House Tower, Southampton, opened on the 12th May 2022.28/03 Second exhibition and public engagement planned for April 23, National Maritime Museum, Falmouth (9 month period). https://www.vulgarearth.com/artofcoralscience (postponed to April 2024).
• Currently scoping Research project with UWE – Centre of Water Community and Resilience. More details to come.
• Currently scoping for community project with https://annahaydockwilson.com/finding-common-ground/
• CREATIVE ENGAGEMENT – Amos Trust – small,  creative human rights charity based in London.  Main emphasis of work working with Engagement & Fundraising team to engage public in the stories and bring connection and funding between groups/individuals in UK and communities in Palestine, Nicaragua, India, South Africa and other countries where partners are based.  Particular interest in Palestine. Ongoing freelance work.
• ARTIST in RESIDENCE Arnos Vale Cemetery – arnosvale.co.uk  Open brief around the subject of grief.  Funded through https://necessity.info/category/radical-reconciliation Until end March 21′ (possible extension). New live community padlet page relating to one of the residency projects – https://padlet.com/jo_chalkblack_bushell/pbfbgfegkayyr4ma
• CENTRE OF GRAVITY – 60 artist month take-over of empty department store – https://www.centreofgravity.uk/ba-lf    Joint exhibition space as part of Bristol Artist Led Forum https://www.bristolartistledforum.com/who-we-are   Also, immersive performance with Manu Emmanuel and Lisa Friedberg. October’20 
• BRICKS (bricksbristol.org/st-annes) – Artist Producer for St Anne’s Creative Community Mapping Project.  Creatively consulting and working with the community of St Anne’s, Bristol about the current arts/community provision with a view to reactivating a building for dedicated community use.  Oct 19 – end Nov 20.  
• Co-Lead DIY WORKING GROUP Cultural Spaces/BURSARY – an independent gathering of arts organisations and arts practitioners who meet regularly to advocate for the sector and to discuss and inform policy, as well as forming working groups in response to specific issues and to develop shared activity. This thinking feeds directly into the wider cultural conversations happening at a high level in the city through the Cultural Strategy Steering Group. 2018-2020.
• WHEN PAIN MEETS ART/COLLABORATION/PERFORMANCE – exploring the relationship between long-term pain and art; collaboration with Hal Camplin; inviting artists with experience of long-term pain to join the ‘conversation’ leading to collaborative work/works. Ongoing long term intermittent project.
• ARTIST IN RESIDENCE – St Helens CofE Primary, Alverston since 2017. Currently supporting teachers remotely.
• LIMINAL SPACE/LAND-BASED PERFORMANCE PROCESS/WEEKEND RESIDENTIAL – five month project culminating in a three-day performance process (Oct 18) at the Sustainability Centre, West Meon, South Downs.  Exploring liminality and land-based process. Collaboration with Suzanne Baker and Emma Wallace (thisisrefugi.com)
• SCHOOL GARDEN PROJECT/ECO – approached by St Annes CofE Primary to design a sensory/eco garden space and coordinate a team of staff/volunteers (Jan 18 – ongoing)
• KWMC – MENTORING FOR RESIDENCY PROGRAMME/KNOWLE WEST COMMUNITY – approached by Knowle West Media Centre to mentor two recent graduate (SW Graduate Photographer Prize winners) throughout their first major community residency (8 weeks).  Working with archive and developing new material to tell the story of Filwood Broadway- the architecture, the social history, the personal histories. Working with local residents to gather stories and material. Developing material to be shared with the community and form content for an exhibition, including site specific and outdoor display. Advice, guidance and inspiration shared with the SWGPP to potentially expand their practice into other disciplines through the use of mediums such as projection, textiles, performance etc.  On call throughout the residency to offer guidance/advice.
• ASH/FILM/PROJECTION/PERFORMANCE- The Ode to the Ash Tree project – artist led community project, research into the cultural significance, myth, uses and potential demise of the Ash tree population in the UK due to the spread of Ash Dieback and development of site specific performance and off-grid projection techniques (managed by Courage Copse Creatives in association with Arts Council England. Collaboration with Courage Copse Creatives and Shimnix film production –  6 month project).
• HERITAGE/CHARCOAL – 3C’s Heritage project – woodland-based heritage project with five schools, experimentation with charcoal including heritage research finding innovative ways to apply charcoal to different materials including preparation of egg tempera as a medium (managed by Courage Copse Creatives – Heritage Lottery funded)
• IMMERSIVE THEATRE – The Legends of Frome – Research into ritual art and immersive performance techniques including collaborative immersive heritage performance (managed by Edventure Frome – Arts Council funded)
• HERITAGE/PROJECTION/PERFORMANCE- research, development and delivery of young people’s workshops for National WW1 Gallipoli heritage project (DAISI, North Devon Museums, Shimnix film production – Young Roots Heritage Lottery Funding)

Current/ongoing private project – HIGH NOON

RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT/LIFE TRANSITIONS/ART PROCESS/PSYCHOLOGICAL PROCESS/PROJECTION/PHOTOGRAPHY/NATURE CONNECTION/SOLAR ENERGY

Jo received a year’s part-time funding from a private benefactor between April 2016-2017.  As a result of this funding Jo developed an art process for use during periods of life transition –

AN INVITATION TO THOSE WHO FIND THEMSELVES AT A POINT OF CHANGE IN LIFE AND WANT SOMEWHERE TO MARK, LEGITIMISE OR PROCESS THIS.  IT IS ALSO AN INVITATION TO THOSE WHO MAY FEEL A SIGNIFICANT INTERNAL SHIFT (MAYBE IN A PERIOD OF DEPRESSION OR ANXIETY) BUT CANT NECESSARILY IDENTIFY WHAT THIS IS OTHER THAN REALISING THAT THEIR PREVIOUS WAY OF FUNCTIONING ISN’T WORKING FOR THEM ANYMORE.

HIGH NOON GIVES SPACE AND FORM TO THIS PROCESS AND RECOGNISES DIFFERENCE AS WELL AS COMMON THEMES OF LIFE TRANSITION. HIGH NOON ISN’T A TALKING THERAPY BUT AN ART PROCESS THAT DRAWS ON OFTEN DISUSED WAYS OF SEEING AND BEING; WHICH HELP WHEN ACCLIMATISING TO THE UNFAMILIAR TERRITORY OF CHANGE.  THIS TWELVE-HOUR EXPERIENCE OFFERS A SAFE SPACE FOR INDIVIDUALS TO JOURNEY WITH OTHERS THROUGH THIS PROCESS IN A SMALL GROUP SETTING (max 6) IN A PRIVATE WOODLAND SETTING – STARTING AT MIDDAY AND ENDING AT MIDNIGHT.

The work is influenced by the theories of depth psychologists such as Carl Jung, Thomas Moore, Clarissa Pincola Estes and James Hollis alongside writers such Sharon Blackie and Mary Oliver, wilderness guides such Bill Plotkin and Martin Shaw and artists in the Social Sculpture discipline such as Joseph Beuys and Shelley Sacks.

Since the summer 2016, much of the work has involved working with women in a rural setting.  Jo is now collaborating with psychologist Jonathan Stott in order to develop a stronger psychological base for the process and, together they are developing High Noon to include any gender and to provide urban opportunities for people to become introduced to the idea of ‘marking transitions’.

An exhibition/event exploring the work and themes of High Noon was shown at the Create Centre, Spike Island, Bristol from 12/05/18 until 23/05/18.  Due to requests for more, similar opportunities in urban settings;  High Noon is currently working on a crowd funder in order to run further inner city events in the coming year as well as the ongoing High Noon – Woodland events.  

See ‘High Noon – Woodland’ and ‘High Noon – Events/exhibitions’ for further details.

Location

Jo is a Bristol-based artist who moved to the city in October 2015 having spent 7 years living on the coast in North Devon.  As location and landscape is an important part of her work – the name ‘Chalkblack’ referring to the geology of her home town Portsmouth where exposed areas of chalk greet those arriving along the coast line, and the geology of North Devon’s Atlantic coast line where Bideford Black can be found in coastal rock formations. Chalk and Black represent the geographic and psychological transition she made leaving one place for another.  She often uses these materials in her work for this reason.

 

Professional documentation

She is registered self employed as an artist and performer, has a current DBS certificate for working with vulnerable adults and children and has public liability insurance. GDPR compliant/registered.

Jo has a network of creative contacts across the UK who she is able to bring onboard for specific projects that need specialist knowledge and experience.