What's On - Scottish craft events

The 2010 International Textile Festival is building on the success of the previous four years with an exciting and stimulating programme of exhibitions, talks, workshops, events, interactive performance and opportunities for debate and discussion, spread over the 23 days.

Based in Stroud Gloucestershire in the Cotswolds, this festival has gone from strength to strength. The festival has a commitment to celebrating contemporary work from established and emerging artists thus ensuring that the festival remains fresh and never stands still. Over the month of May the Stroud Five Valleys in Gloucestershire buzzes with creative energy, offering surprises and stimulation in a broad programme that profiles the best of contemporary textiles and related crafts alongside traditional and world textiles.

Festival 2010 has a distinctly Scottish flavour. ‘Crossing Borders’ is one theme with artists coming from Ireland and Scotland to exhibit, debate and present their work.

The festival warmly welcomes artists and speakers from Scotland, with a focus on the Highlands of Scotland, in a celebration of fine craftsmanship and creative excellence.

Recognising the wonderful talent that the Edinburgh College of Art has brought to the art world we are excited to have work from six world class artists who studied at the world famous school. Contemporary tapestry is represented with work from Sara Brennan and Jo Barker; textile installations from Henny Burnett; painted and dyed textiles from Kate Blee and sculptural jewellery from Angela O’Kelly.

Artist in Residence, Deirdre Nelson, another Scottish export, will be exhibiting at the Museum in the Park. Deirdre will spend six months researching the Museum in the Park’s unique collection where she will be working within the Museum in Open Sessions. You can read a blog of Deirdre's progress as Artist in Residence at http://sitblog.co.uk/

Stunning hangings created by the prestigious and innovative artist Norma Starszakowna, will welcome the visitor to the main exhibition venue at the Museum in the Park near Stroud.  Challenging and inspiring, Starszakowna has taken the art of printed textiles to a high level of achievement.

92 people participating, 14 venues, plus 4 Universities presenting student work, an Artist in Residence  and a 2 day Conference ( May 8th & 9th) focusing on ‘Sustainable Textiles – Slow Textiles’ with speakers, Dr Emma Neuberg, Clara Vuletich, Philippa Brock and Rebecca Earley. The conference will be chaired by Helen Carnac.
Textile groups taking part are the Brunel Broderers, Losing the Thread, Studio Seven Textile artists, Cork Textile Group, The Big Weave who will be exhibiting and offering demonstrations and workshops.