Carefully Selected

In 2005 Sitselect – an organisation that celebrates contemporary applied arts through an annual festival, exhibitions and showcases – was an acorn of an idea and known as Stroud International Textiles. Rebranded in 2014 as Sitselect, today the organisation is, if not yet a mighty oak, then certainly a mature tree with branches that spread across Stroud and beyond. The roots of this enterprise lie in creating opportunities for artists to develop their creative practices through year round events, art exhibitions and educational work that profiles textile skills and a wide range of crafts. And the whole thing comes together in the SIT festival which takes place in venues in and around Stroud in Gloucestershire, including weekend 'trails' of local open studios (and a Selvedge Fair). With so much to see a trip to this part of the world a must for those who love textiles and craft. Building on their previous success over 8 years for presenting inspiring exhibitions and linked events 2015 Festival will not disappoint. Our picks for 2015 include... ‘Concerning Plants’ Royal College Art graduates 
Curated by Gemma Waggett Saturday 2 May, Meme Cafe Bar George Street Stroud GL5 3DT, Entry: Free Katharine May; Hazel Stark; Marcin Rusak; Gemma Waggett; Julia Georgallis; Emma De Clercq 'Pasting the Walls; a celebration of 21st century wallpaper' Curated by Charlotte Abrahams Featuring Louise Body; Deborah Bowness; CUSTHOM; Fromental; Linda Florence; Hamilton Weston/Marthe Armitage. Wednesday 29 April – Sunday 31 May, Newark Park, Ozleworth, Wotton-under-Edge, Glos, GL12 7PZ, Entry: Free Botanical Inks Forage, create natural dyes, and print Learn to harness environmentally sustainable colour from your landscape in our foraging, dye-making and surface application workshops: Foraged Natural Dyes and Shibori Workshop, Tutor: Babs Behan Saturday 23 May 10am-4pm, Victoria Works, Chalford, Stroud GL6 8HN Tickets: £65 includes materials and refreshments and a light lunch Select Festival 2015, Saturday 2nd May-Monday 25th May, www.sitselect.org