2023 Directory cover artwork by Sam Marsh
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.
Site Festival is artist-led and would not be possible without all the marvellous contributions from artists, curators and helpers. Thanks also to Nikoletta Monyok for some incredible photography, and you can find the photojournal on the Good on Paper website.
Find the PDF of the 2023 Open Studios directory
Parrots: A Flagrant Exhibition of Mimicry
At ‘Sortilege’ in the lower studio of Nutshell Studio, artists created their own parrot display.
This piece is: “Polly Put The Kettle On”, by Bernadette Lawless.
Adam White, a dear friend and long-serving artist at SVA, came up with this idea after Open Studios 2022 when a parrot called Mika visited the studios. As he’d been part of many Open Studios over the years, he wanted a new idea to sink his teeth into, so came up with the idea of loads of artists having a piece in their studio as part of a trail.
Something that would appeal to everyone, and be a curiosity for both artists and visitors. So he devised “Parrots: A Flagrant Exhibition of Mimicry” directed by Mika the Parrot.
So let us know if you found parrot-like artwork on your travels around the studios in June 2023!
Why Open Studios?
Nikoletta Monyok
Community
“I’ve taken part in Site Festival 3 times and I absolutely love it. I can share the space, share conversations with visitors and other artists.” - Alice Sheppard Fidler
“Being part of Open Studios is being part of a community. You’re letting people in which you don’t do most of the time.” - Chris Bingle
“It’s always lovely because you meet other artists, and you feel part of something” - Sally Hampson
Watch the 2022 film to hear from more artists.
Hetty Frances Bell at SVA, by Nikoletta Monyok
Openness
Since 1997 it’s been really important that SVA was not just about the building but about the community of artists who lived out in the five valleys, working away in their spare rooms, sheds and kitchen worktops as well as the more formal studio spaces.
The word OPEN not only reflects the open studio door welcoming curious visitors to discover the wonderful world of the artists studio but also it reflects SVA’s OPENNESS to all artists of all backgrounds, ages, disciplines and experience.
Open Studios is not selected and we welcome conversations with artists who may be held back in their practice.
Clay Sinclair Open Studio
Want to know more about Site Festival and SVA?
You can see previous Site Festival programmes on the Archive page. For more information about SVA and other previous programmes, find the SVA Archive page at www.sva.org.uk.