Open Studios 2026
13th-14th and 20th-21st June 2026
A warm welcome to Open Studios
When I walk around this ‘radical mill town in the Cotswolds’ with its red brick terraces and occasional mill chimney, I sometimes feel as though I am in an L.S. Lowry painting. Then when I walk up to All Saints Church at Selsley, I am transfixed by those Pre-Raphaelite stained glass windows.
There is art in the history and landscape in this town and the five valleys but there is also, of course, art in the present-day town, valleys, villages, hamlets and hills. The SVA SITE Festival showcases this each summer-tide.
So, wander as you will by foot, car, bus or bike. Discover art in all sorts of positions and places in this picturesque locality. Meet friends old and new as you process like pilgrims. For as T.S. Eliot said, “And the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started. And know the place for the first time.”
Stuart Butler
Charlotte Aiken at SVA photographed by Nettie Atkisson
61 artists open their studio doors in 38 locations along 6 routes in the Stroud Valleys over 2 weekends.
The routes start from right in the centre of Stroud and stretch out right across the district from Painswick to Wotton-under-Edge, from Chavenage to Stonehouse and from Uley to Chalford.
Look out for the printed directories and online to plan your visit. This is a perfect chance to discover more about the wonderful community of artists who work here, as well the incredible diversity of places that they work from.
Come and explore the hidden creativity veins of these green valleys, feel inspired and also why not invest in some unique original local artworks.
Open Studios 2026 : Victoria Rees
Site Festival is an annual programme of artist-led projects from SVA; events, exhibitions, talks and directory of Open Studios in the Stroud district; established in 1997.
61 artists open their studio doors in 38 locations in the Stroud Valleys over 2 weekends in June 2026.
Plus over 160 artists exhibiting and performing in exhibitions and events over the full festival programme: 3rd - 30th June.