Click to view the 2025 directory
In 2025 81 artists open their studio doors in 40 locations in the Stroud Valleys over 2 weekends :
Saturday 14th - Sunday 15th June 11am - 5pm
Saturday 21st - Sunday 22nd June 11am - 5pm
Plus over 250 artists exhibiting and performing in exhibitions and events: 7th - 22nd June.
Charlotte Aiken in SVA studio, by Nettie Atkisson
I first became involved with SVA when working as a consultant for the Arts Council in the late 90’s as Jo and Neil sought to turn a tired and failing premises into the venue we love today. My wife Tonia, an artist printmaker, and I were drawn back to Stroud every year for the Open Studios. This is a manifestation of SVA’s ongoing determination to support and encourage the District’s artists in their development and promotion. Since we moved to Stroud, much as a result of SVA’s existence, I have been privileged to assist in the Charity’s ongoing ambitions, including that of the Goods Shed’s continuing development.
Why not indulge in Stroud District’s extraordinary creative spirit by visiting as many artists as possible and choosing original art for your own homes!
David Elford, Trustee
Each year the festival programme seeks to challenge boundaries, bring high calibre exhibitions and installations to Stroud, and raise awareness of the incredible diversity in the arts.
7th-22nd June
SVA John St Gallery, 4 John St, Stroud, GL5 2HA
Risée Chaderton-Charles, our guest artist from Barbados presents ‘Caribbean Atlantean’, a new series of digital collage pieces created by merging photography, digital illustration, text, and watercolour which tell the stories of Africans who jumped from the slave ships - who chose the water instead of the world of colonizers.
Monumental silent documentary film with a unique vocal score by Jason Singh
Friday 13th June 7.30pm
Brunel Goods Shed, Stroud, GL5 3AP
Sound artist, nature beatboxer and composer Jason Singh performs his live soundtrack to John Grierson’s monumental silent documentary film Drifters.
Premiering alongside Battleship Potemkin in 1929, Drifters follows North Sea herring trawlermen through their dramatic daily routines as well as the industry’s struggles between tradition, modernity, and nature.
Originally commissioned by BFI, Jason’s critically acclaimed and totally unique solo score combines live vocal sound effects, beatboxing techniques and live sampling to create a thrilling cinematic experience.
Jason Singh’s collaborations and commissions include a diverse range of organisations and artists including BBC, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, V&A Museum, WOMAD, Kew Gardens, Chester Zoo, SONOS, BFI, Celtic Connections, RNLI, National Trust, Tate Britain, Sir David Attenborough, George Ezra, Big Narstie, Yazz Ahmed, Shabaka Hutchings, Natacha Atlas, Sarathy Korwar, Nitin Sawhney, Talvin Singh and Rokia Traore.
“So powerful and so beautifully done.” - Mark Kermode, The Observer on Jason Singh – Drifters
“Amazing! ... Sensory and emotional... Fantastic combination of old and new. Taking the film to another level” –Audience comment
Take the chance to visit Hill House in Amberley, where Sanctuary Breaks welcome people seeking sanctuary to stay at Hill House with volunteers, and enjoy the space together. The artworks on display for Site Festival from visiting refugees offer visitors an insight into lived experiences, through storytelling and various mediums.
An exhibition of artworks by refugees, along with Sam Mukumba’s artwork and bread oven hand-built for SITE, celebrates the work they do and people they work with - all during Refugee Week 2025 - a week-long celebration that highlights the contributions of refugees to society, culture, and the arts.
The Hide Artists Retreat is prioritising environmental materials and community outreach for their annual sculpture show this summer.
Nestled in leafy Amberly and with a stunning view over the valley below, The Hide offers a creative retreat for artists from Stroud and further afield to nurture their creative practice. For their annual public exhibition, The Hide Installation and Sculpture Showcase (THISS) 2025, artists from Stroud, the South West and London will be crafting sustainable sculpture in The Hide’s sun-kissed gardens for a free public exhibition.
Find all the exhibition and visiting information in the Festival Programme.
For 2025 we’re collaborating with movement artists and dancers to create new connections between them and visual artists. Visit SVA on Sunday mornings during Open Studios to see Brenda Waite and Sharon Gimpel, to see how movement artists interact in the SVA studios.
11am-12pm Sunday 15th June
11am-12pm Sunday 22nd June
More Open Studios and Dance :
The Coach House Collective : Sharon Gimpel, Alex Howard, Brenda Waite
Dance in Nature : Bodyscape Dance with the aid of Rebecca Stapleford and Juliana Avila. Plus Kate Bell, Katie Lloyd Nunn, Simon Slidders, Anna Thornhill, Cynthia Whelan.
Previous festival highlights include:
