Stroud International Textile Festival
Tour 5, available 2nd - 6th May 2010
A four night tour to this annual international textile festival based in the glorious Stroud Five Valleys in Gloucestershire. This annual International Festival encourages debate and discussion around contemporary textiles and has a reputation for showing work from leading established artists alongside new emerging talent. It is well known for excellence, innovation and high quality programming. 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.
For a flavour of the festival some of the artists showing are Jo Barker and Sara Brennan (Tapestry); Henny Burnett and Deirdre Nelson (Textile Installations); Norma Starszakawna (Printing); Caroline Sharp (Willow Sculpture); Kate Blee ( Printed/Painted Cloth). Group Exhibitions include Studio Seven Textile Artists; Brunel Broderers; Cork Textile Artists. Royal College of Art, Manchester University and Bournemouth graduates will have work displayed in the town.
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.
Due to this itinerary needing to be on this site by September 2009, some of the small details of the tour are still to be finalised as Textile Holiday Tours works from Jan to Dec and the Festival May to May. As soon as all final names and timings are known they will be posted on this site but will not materially change this itinerary.
Itinerary
Sunday
From 2pm | Arrive at Stonehouse Court Hotel |
4.00pm | Welcome Reception with tour escort Lorraine Traer-Clark |
5.30pm | Coach leaves hotel |
6.00pm | Illustrated talk from exhibiting artist, Jo Barker at Stroud Museum in the Park |
7.30pm | Meet The Artists Supper. A private informal supper at a Stroud café with invited festival artists - this is a chance to chat informally with the artists and festival team. |
Monday
Morning |
Guided tour around exhibitions and a chance to talk to some of the artists about their work. That all important coffee break will be laid on with delicious home-made cakes. |
Lunch | We enjoy a private lunch in a local Stroud café. |
Afternoon | Illustrated Artist's Talk from Deirdre Nelson, the festival Artist in Residence. |
5.30pm | Studio Seven Textile Artists will open their studio for us to explore and enjoy and will show work from their previous productions. This group has built a reputation for innovative interactive installation and performance art - a special treat. View a film showing of Studio Seven's 2009 performance 'Cut 2 on Fold'. There will be opportunities for questions. |
Evening | Free |
Tuesday
Morning | We visit Cirencester Brewery Arts Centre where work by Tim Parry-Williams, a hand weaver, and Dorothy Reglar, a costume designer, is exhibited in "Fabric of the East". Brewery Arts Centre houses various studios, a shop and café. |
Lunch | and morning coffee is at Brewery Arts. |
Afternoon | We have time to have a look around Cirencester before returning to Stroud. Here we are back at the Museum in the Park to listen to another exhibiting artist. |
Evening | Free |
Wednesday
Morning |
You can join an inspiring artist's workshop or take a trip to Newark House that boasts an amazing antique textile collection and is holding an exhibition on World Textiles. (Both these options are an extra cost, the workshop is £60 and the trip to Newark House is £35, please specify your choice when booking). If you decide not to take up these options then the day is free to spend as you choose. |
Lunch |
and refreshments are included in both options. |
Afternoon | The coach will collect all guests and return to the hotel. |
Evening | A farewell dinner at the Hotel with tour escort Lorraine Traer-Clark. |
Thursday
Cost
£705 each with two people sharing a twin room
£15 single room supplement per night
Optional Extra:
Artist's Workshop (to include lunch and refreshments) £60
Visit to Newark House (to include lunch and refreshments) £35
What's included
- A welcome afternoon tea
- An evening meal on Sunday and Wednesday
- Morning and afternoon tea and coffee on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
- A set lunch on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
- Hotel room on a bed and breakfast basis
- Coach travel itemised in tour itinerary
- Hire charges at all venues
- Entrance fees at all venues
- All tutor, speaker and guide fees
What's not included
- Travel to and from Stonehouse Court Hotel at start and end of tour
- Evening meal on Monday and Tuesday
- Any drinks or refreshments not mentioned above
- Discretionary tips and service charges
- Holiday Insurance
- Any retail therapy you might indulge in!
Special equipment you need to bring
If you would like to consider taking part in our Client Challenge then please bring any portable equipment you usually use for recording your inspiration work.
Textile Treasures
- 6 - 11 June 2010
- 5 - 10 October 2010
Short Break Textile Treasures
- 19 - 22 July 2010
- 13 - 16 September 2010
Gardens and Textiles
- 16 - 21 May 2010
- 4 - 9 July 2010
Arts and Crafts Textiles
- 21 - 26 March 2010
- 26 September - 1 October 2010
Stroud International Textile Festival
- 2 - 6 May 2010