In this Lunchtime Talk, Teresa Dillon and Felipe Schmidt Fonseca of the artist-led research programme Repair Acts with share how Declarations (community-authored statements of intent, demands, and direct actions) have been imagined, articulated and practised in a city (Bristol), regionally (Ireland) and on a community (Brazil) level. 

This talk is part of the Celebrating Repair Cultures, a citywide programme that Repair Acts is curating across Bristol (Sat 3 - Sat 17 October 2026), including the Bristol Repair Declaration Chambers debate at City Hall on Fri 16 Oct at 17:00. 

About Repair Acts

Repair Acts is an artist-led research programme focused on material, technological and spatial cultures of repair, care, maintenance and healing. They do this by creating spaces for dialogue and practice through making and building art works, designing and developing art exhibitions, events, forums, workshops and conversational spaces and carrying out desk-based and applied research.

The programme is led by the artist and Professor of Art, Media and Spatial Practice, Winchester School of Art, University of Southampton, Teresa Dillon. 

Joining Teresa will be Felipe Schmidt Fonseca. Working in Germany and Brazil, Felipe is a researcher and community organiser best known for his work on electronic waste and reuse. He is currently a Research Associate with Repair Acts focusing on repair-based and community-led organisational practices. 

Join us online on YouTube Live, or in the building on Friday 25th September at 13:00 for the talk and to take part in the Q&A discussion afterwards. 

Want to support what we do at Watershed? Please consider donating, so we can bring you more talks like this.

The Pervasive Media Studio is a partnership between the Watershed, University of the West of England and University of Bristol. The lunchtime talks are partly supported by MyWorld, a project led by the University of Bristol to support creative industries in the region. Watershed is supported by Arts Council England.

Address:

Watershed, 1 Canon's Rd, Bristol BS1 5TX

Directions:

The Lunchtime talks take place in the Pervasive Media Studio Event Space. To access the Studio, please go to the Main Watershed Box Office entrance and go upstairs to the Café Bar. Walk across the cafe bar, turn right and walk towards the double doors. Go through into the corridor and walk all the way down until you reach the Studio. A member of staff will sign you in, and check your ticket, if you have booked.

The Studio is wheelchair accessible, and the events space has a hearing loop. The last talk of every month is BSL interpreted. 

For more information on accessing the studio take a look here.

*Please note this is a hybrid event and will be live streamed so please be aware you will be in the live broadcast and recording when watching in the Studio.