A family from Bristol have come up with a novel idea to keep busy and brighten their days during the coronavirus lockdown – by creating an art gallery in their front hedge.
Jennifer Butler, 45, and her children Lulu, five and Henry, seven, have created the ‘ Bristol Covid 19 Hedge Gallery’ in the front garden of their home at Hamilton Road in Southville.
The theme of the gallery changes daily with the trio coming up with different ideas each day.
Henry came up with the idea of creating the unusual outdoor gallery when the family was self-isolating last month.
Mum Jennifer said: “We were self isolating as Henry had a bit of a cough and a temperature.
“We were stuck in for a few days and Henry said it would be cool to create our own art gallery and to use the hedge.”
So far themes have included pirates, Christmas, Spanish life and planets.
Other popular galleries have included the rainforest, a school fete and a fruit market, where the family set up a fruit stall for their neighbours.
“We are quite a creative family,” said Jennifer.
“It’s also allowed us to incorporate home schooling.
“We pick an idea and then we make everything needed from here.
“Some nights I have been up until midnight prepping stuff for the children to start work on the following morning.”
And the hedge gallery has proved a real hit with the neighbours and others living in Southville.
“We’ve been going for a few weeks now and people are really loving it,” said Jennifer.
“Many have been coming out on their walk once a day to see the hedge.
“They say it really brightens their day.
“We are glad it’s making people smile.
“It’s been quite a grim time with people being stuck at home.
“But making the gallery every day has really bonded us as a family and its been great connecting with neighbours and others in the area.
“Our street has even put up bunting to help cheer everyone up.”
Jennifer, who runs her own cleaning company, says she plans to continue with the gallery during the lockdown.
“It may be a strange time, but it’s a time that I will remember forever,” said Jennifer.
“And as long as people are enjoying the gallery and we are enjoying doing it, we’ll keep going.”
The family are now using the gallery to raise money for the NHS and have so far raised around £400.
The hedge has its own Facebook page for people wanting to keep up to date with designs and make a donation should visit Bristol Covid 19 Hedge Gallery.
