INTERNATIONAL TEXTILE FESTIVAL 2010
1st – 21st May

I am thrilled to be announcing the initial line-up for the 2010 festival. The festival continues to attract and profile artists of international quality, while creating a platform for emerging new talent. There are some wonderful artists appearing in 2010 plus innovative new events.

One exciting new project is Artist in Residence, Deirdre Nelson, who will be working at the Museum in the Park, Stroud. Deirdre will be studying and researching the Museum collections and their stories. She will then produce a body of work that will be exhibited in the festival as well as offering workshops and opportunities for learning and investigation for colleges and schools.
www.dstitch.blogspot.com

We welcome artists who have all studied or have connections with the Edinburgh College of Art to the festival in 2010.� Jo Barker and Sara Brennan – tapestry; Henny Burnett – installations & mixed media; Norma Starszakowna - printed textiles; Kate Blee - printed & painted cloth.
Noela Bewry - paintings
Caroline Sharp - environmental willow on the Museum forecourt

�S I T has been busy building partnerships with colleges and universities, and Bournemouth University of the Arts students from the Fashion and Textiles departments are creating new costumes using Stroud woollen cloth that has been generously donated by Milliken Mills.
We will have 2nd Year students from the Textile Department at Bath Spa University creating work that has been inspired by the Museum in the Park’s collection. Sue Bradley, Course tutor, will also have new work on display.
We welcome makers from the Scottish Highlands to Stroud and a new friendship with Creative Industries Shetland, who will be bringing hand weaving and knitting to the festival.

The Brunel Broderers, Cork Textile Group, Losing the Thread group, Studio Seven Textile artists, Manchester School of Art Embroidery graduates, Dovecot Studios, Dionne Swift, Mary Schoeser �all will add to the wonderful creative mix.
Two Day Symposium –‘Textiles with conscience’ on 8th & 9th May. Speakers: Emma Neuberg, Suzanne Lee, Philippa Brock, Clara Vuletich are heading the weekend of talks and workshops that will follow a favourite theme of Stroud Textiles – Upcycling/recycling and new textile technology.

Talks, workshops and much more are in the pipeline so get the festival dates in your diary –1st – 21st May .

Watch the web site for further information.

Textile Tours

Textile Holiday Tours are offering a four night tour to this annual international textile festival based in the glorious Stroud Five Valleys in Gloucestershire. Festival Director, Lizzi Walton has put on a special package exclusively for Textile Holiday Tours where you will enjoy private viewings, guided tours around the exhibition sites, meet some of the lead artists exhibiting, attend talks from the international artists participating and enjoy a supper with some of the artists. In addition you have the option of a workshop or a trip to a historic house. Lizzi has used her considerable skills to ensure that we will have a fun and informative itinerary that will capture the essence of this unique textile event.

You will enjoy locally produced food, have time to relax and soak up the atmosphere of the beautiful Stroud Valleys on this four night stay. Please visit www.textileholidaytours.co.uk��for more information