New set of Nativity figures for St Mary Redcliffe Church
We are seeking an artist/craftsperson to design and create a new set of nativity figures for our church.
The nativity scene is a focus for devotion and a key part of how we share the Christmas story with thousands of people who come into our church at Christmas, so it’s important that it reflects what we believe are key gospel messages.
We are particularly looking for a set that
• Reflects the diversity of God’s people and enables all those who come to see themselves reflected among the characters of the Christmas story.
• Shows God’s love for all creation, perhaps by its use of natural materials, for example wood from native trees or reclaimed/recycled wood.
• Is robust enough to be handled by worshippers who are younger and/or would value a more tactile engagement with the Christmas story. Currently our Mary, Joseph and donkey figures travel round people’s homes during advent.
• Sits comfortably within our glorious medieval gothic church setting.
We have space for lots of figures so would like as a minimum
• Mary and Joseph
• A donkey
• Baby Jesus
• A manger
• Shepherd and sheep
• 3 magi
• Angel
• Star
But there is scope for more animals, shepherds, angels etc! As we keep the nativity scene in church until Candlemas (2nd February) a “toddler Jesus” would also be welcome.
We currently make our nativity scene in our altar, which is approx. 110cm high, and generally viewed from a distance. Our current figures are approx. 40cm high. While we would be open to larger figures, they shouldn’t be too large or heavy to be easily handled.
Timescale
We would like to use the new set this Christmas, so would expect that at least the main characters would be ready by then – Mary and Joseph by late November, and others by mid-December.
Budget
We have a budget of £1,500-£3,500 for this project to include material costs and time.
Process
A shortlisting panel will select up to 3 people to be given an honorarium of £200 to work up some designs, from which the appointment will be made.
Expressions of interest
We are now inviting expressions of interest for this project.
We are particularly keen to support the local creative community, and to hear from a wide range of people including younger and/or emerging artists and BAME artists.
We will be making slots available by appointment to visit the church on the morning of Tuesday 1st September.
If you would like to discuss the project please contact Kat Campion-Spall kat.campion-spall@stmaryredcliffe.co.uk
(NB I am on leave 24th-31st August); to arrange a visit please email sarah.purdon@stmaryredcliffe.co.uk
Please send
• A portfolio of 10 - 15 images/up to 8 sides of A4 of previous work (which may include work completed as part of a course)
• Either, if you have done other relevant projects, please give details of up to 3, including contact details for your client; or please give details of 2 referees. We will only contact referees if you are shortlisted.
• An outline budget for the project within the limits specified above including an indication of material costs and the cost of your time
All expressions of interest should be sent to Kat Campion-Spall at 12 Colston Parade, Bristol BS1 6RA or kat.campion-spall@stmaryredcliffe.co.uk
Please note, our email system has a file size limit of 25MB
Submissions by Thursday 10th September 5pm
Shortlisting w/c 14th September
Final appointment w/c 21st September
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We've seen lots of amazing work in the visitor services department so far this year. SMR stewards have generated over £4,500 donations between January and April 2026 and welcomed over 5000 visitors to the Church. We are welcoming new tour guides to the front of house team with the eventual goal to expand the number of tours we are able to offer to the public. Janet and Reuben have both done their first tours and have received wonderful reviews from visitors. If you are interested in volunteering on the front of house team please contact me on lucy.marshall@stmaryredcliffe.co.uk . We have had some amazing feedback from our outreach events as we aim to welcome not only those familiar with SMR but also those that have never been before. These have included film screenings, talks and most recently the Redcliffe Sessions which raised just under £150 for our Lent charity partner, CALM. Thank you to all those who have supported these. The next Redcliffe Session will be in support of SMR and will feature Bristol band Dogsbody on guitar, cello and violin, and songwriter, Alex Pester on 13th June. I am very excited looking into the rest of 2026 for our future events run both in house and by external hirers, more information of which can be found on our website. If you are interested in volunteering at any future SMR events please let me know! Lucy Marshall Visitor Services Coordinator 06.05.2026
