Chris Neate, Why We Linger, 2018. Photo by Ellie Walmsley. 1st-22nd June at SVA John Street Gallery.
Site Festival is an annual programme of artist-led projects; events, exhibitions, talks and directory of Open Studios in the Stroud district; established in 1997.
A warm welcome to Open Studios 2024
Introduction written by Ruby Kester - Artist, Poet, Writer
“The calibre and density of Stroud’s art scene is unparalleled, and is at its most vibrant during the SITE Festival. Not limited to the heart of the town, all through the five valleys artists open up their spaces to the public and it becomes once again apparent that, from the farthest flung garden studio to the nearest spare room, we are surrounded by talent.
This is an opportunity to explore all of Stroud and its surroundings, to meet new people, to share ideas, to buy affordable art from the source…”
2024 Programme Highlights
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.
Taqi Spateen : international graffiti art project from Bethlehem Cultural Festival
Taqi Spateen at the Goods Shed - June 2024
Graffiti art is a major cultural force in Palestine, and we’re excited to be part of these collaborations and to provide a residency space.
Taqi Spateen is a multi-talented Palestinian artist and Fine Arts graduate of the International Academy of Art (IAA) in Ramallah, Palestine.
Taqi worked with artists and communities in Leeds (with East Street Arts and the Leeds Palestine Film Festival), Glasgow (with Ciaran Glöbel), Bristol (with Upfest), Stroud (with Stroud Valleys Artspace (SVA) and the Picturedrome Theatre, Gloucester) and London to create five large-scale murals.
Taqi’s residency in Stroud/Gloucester took place between 1st-5th June 2024, but you can visit the murals at any time.
Sky Burial : Mat Collishaw
For 2024 Mat Collishaw presented ‘Sky Burial’; an immersive audio-visual installation and meditation on life, death and humanity set to Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem, recorded and mixed in 360° spatial sound for d&b Audio Soundscape by Loss Gain.
Cara Macwilliam, Cosmic Aether, 2023, Watercolour pencil on paper, 42x30cm, 16.5x11.8 inches
Why We Linger : Jennifer Lauren Gallery
‘Why We Linger’ from the Jennifer Lauren Gallery, showed at SVA’s John Street Gallery. Passionately championing self-taught, disabled, neurodivergent and overlooked artists from around the world, the Jennifer Lauren Gallery is showcasing all the artists the Gallery represents in one display. Following its launch in London, Why We Linger features a diverse mixture of drawings, paintings, embroidery and ceramics.
Supported by Darbyshire Ltd.
Abi Spendlove
THISS 2024
THISS 2024 at The Hide Artist Retreat in Amberley continued for Site Festival, celebrating new work from a huge range of artists. ”We invite the viewer not to delve into each individual practice or work but to hover with it, in the fleeting state. Be open to engaging through the work’s awkwardness, absurdity, economy and tenderness. Less is more.”