There is something for everyone in the varied mix of events in the Stroud District.
Stroud International Textile Festival | Fringe Festival | Other Festivals | Useful Links
The Stroud Tourism Website has lots more information on various festivals that take place in the area, you can find out more on www.visitthecotswolds.org.uk
The Stroud Five Valleys in Gloucestershire have a long association with cloth production and the influence of the textile industry can be seen on the surrounding landscape and architecture today. Stroud International Textiles continues that story and profiles and champions high quality textile art and craft experiences locally and nationally. The festival presents a diverse and stimulating programme of exhibitions, talks, workshops and events in venues in and around Stroud bringing artists, speakers and performers who are usually only seen in major venues Touching on the traditional, presenting cutting edge thinking and broadening to embrace related crafts this fantastic festival is a major part of Gloucestershire's cultural calendar. 2009/10 has Artist in Residence, Deirdre Nelson , who will be working at the Museum in the Park, studying and researching the Museum collections and their stories. She will then produce a body of work that will be exhibited in the festival. The festival 2010 welcomes artists who have all studied or have connections with the Edinburgh College of Art. Exhibiting in the Museum will be Jo Barker and Sara Brennan – hand woven tapestry, Henny Burnett – installations & mixed media, Norma Starszakowna - printed textiles, Kate Blee - printed & painted cloth with local painter Noela Bewry . Caroline Sharp - environmental willow. In addition Stroud welcomes makers from the Scottish Highlands, Brunel Broderers, Cork Textile Group , Losing the Thread, Studio Seven Textile artists, Manchester School of Art Embroidery graduates, Dovecot Studios, Dionne Swift , Mary Schoeser and Jessica Hemmings are just some of the names appearing. Chrome Yellow bookstand and the popular World Textile Fair will be back. Two Day Conference - ‘Textiles with a conscience' a weekend of talks and workshops. Free Festival Guide (out April 2010) contact Tourist Information on 01453 760960 For further details go to www.stroudinternationaltextiles.org.uk |
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September 2010
More recently, the Fringe Festival has delighted both locals and visitors with events both indoors and out. Dancing and music in the streets - everything from African drumming to flamenco dancers, clog dancers, Morris men and classical events. The entertainment is a mix of paid and free, with inclusive event tickets available. For many, the whole experience has been completed by an associated campsite, opened once a year for this event, and located on parkland which is close to the Leisure Centre and an impressive woodland collection!
For further information see the Stroud Fringe Festival website.
The Stroud Arts Festival was the first major event to put the town on the visitor map, and still does the District proud with its wide selection of cultural activities.
The Arts and Crafts tradition lives on in the creativity which still exists throughout the District. It is a real haven for sculptors, stained- glass artists, masons, sculptors, writers, painters and a wide range of creative artists.
The annual Site Festival and Open Studios event that takes place every June is a celebration of the diversity of the visual arts in the Stroud district.
Now in its 9th year, the work of over 250 local, national and international artists can be seen. From the garden shed to the converted mill, artists open their doors to the public. Walks and mini bus tours take you around the Valleys to the individual studios.
Alongside the Open Studios are 2 Taster exhibitions and a programme of events, talks, workshops and exhibitions that also take place within the Site Festival.
"The creative energy that surges through Stroud and the surrounding valleys is extraordinary, stimulating and exhilarating at the same time. There is a fabulous vitality of arts in the Stroud area, everyone should go and take a look"
Matthew Fort journalist and Guardian Food Editor.
Visit www.sva.org.uk for more information.
