It's hard to say just what it is about Stroud that makes it such a centre for artists, writers, poets and craftspeople. Perhaps it's the long history of artists settling and working in the surrounding villages - the Gimsons and Barnsleys in Sapperton, the Powells, Simmonds and Rothensteins in Oakridge, and many others - which created a critical mass of interest throughout the twentieth century.
 |
| Michael Cardew - stoneware bowl |
An 'alternative' tradition also built up, not least in and around Whiteway where young artists such as Michael Cardew in the thirties and Lyn Chadwick in the early fifties lived and worked supported by local people. A mixture of these traditions, wonderful landscapes, relative proximity to London and its galleries and patrons, vacant buildings - all of these things combine to attract artists of all kinds.
 |
 The Facing The Millenium project made life masks of hundreds of local people |
In the past five years something of an arts renaissance has happened in Stroud, in part inspired by the Stroud Valleys Artspace initiatives. Providing inexpensive studio space for young artists in semi-derelict buildings not only helps artists in their careers but also has a spin off in economic regeneration.
Stroud town centre has benefited from arts initiatives which come in the main without any (or only very little) support from the public sector, yet which create a thriving specialist economy
 |
| Stroud Valleys Artspace, relaxing in the courtyard |
and at the same time enliven the town centre through exhibitions, visiting artists (and their friends), installations, performances and in general a heightened sense of pride in the liveliness of the activity.
Stroud now has artists' studio space in the centre of the town housing 25 artists; an annual "Open Studio" trail throughout the valleys which brings visitors and the national press; an independent gallery "Stroud House Gallery" showing mixed shows of young artists from all over the country; a "Made in Stroud" shop which sells work by local artists and craftspeople; and
 |
| Rope Store Gallery |
"Rope Store Gallery" which shows a varied and changing collection of high quality British craft and design.
The District is renowned for a variety of arts initiatives such as Prema, a small arts centre in Uley with an international reputation for the live arts, the Cairn gallery in Nailsworth, and individuals, such as poets like Adam Horowitz and writers such as Jamila Gavin for her award winning work "Coram Boy".
© Lesley Greene - 2001
