March is upon us, it’s International Women’s Day this Saturday and Stroud Film Festival starts properly on Friday, so inevitably Stroud’s events programme is pretty full this week.
It’s also a great time to pick up a new hobby if you’re one of those for whom the springtime gets your creative juices flowing, with courses incoming in creative writing at the Sub Rooms, basket weaving at Hawkwood and collage at Pegasus in Brimscombe.
Find out more in our regular look at things coming up in Stroud and the wider district. To suggest an event for inclusion in 2025, use this form.
Regular and one off events
- Learn creative writing at the Sub Rooms – Tue 4 Mar – Tue 6 May, 7:30pm
Anna Giangiordano leads a nine week creative writing course at the Sub Rooms, aiming to cover planning, writing and editing short fiction for beginners. The sessions are aimed largely at amateur or beginner writers who want to build their skills and confidence, offering a supportive environment to try your hand and weekly homework to practice techniques.
- See Sam Mukumba’s Fragile Lives – Fri 7 – Sat 15 Mar
UK-based Ugandan artist Sam Mukumba brings a special show to the SVA’s John Street Gallery. Fragile Lives is the result of an Arts Council funded research project of working with refugees from different backgrounds and experiences. The works use glass, carbon and ceramics, seeking to raise awareness of the fragility of human existence and the resilience of nature.
- Take an ambient road trip at the SVA – Fri 7 Mar, 7:30pm
As part of the Stroud Film Festival, the SVA hosts a premiere screening of Still Out, Rufus Exton’s ambient road trip collaboration with music producers Will Cookson and Tom Haverly. Expect ambient soundscapes, connecting landscapes and an exploration of the transience of time, followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers.
- Make a basket at Hawkwood – Sat 8 Mar, 9:30am – 4:00pm
Local forager and basket-weaver Amy Cox leads a day-long course teaching participants how to prepare and weave with rush and other foraged fibers such as carex and dandelion. The process will involve using ancient techniques such as cordage and plaiting to weave a small rush foraging pouch to take home.
- Explore collage with Helen Norman – Sat 8 Mar, 10am – 4:00pm
Gloucestershire collage specialist Helen Norman leads a day-long deep dive into how to express yourself through collage. Using only newsprint and magazines, participants will be guided through the process and encouraged to create their very own impressionistic collage by the end of the day.
- Get on your bike for International Women’s Day – Sat 8 Mar, 11am
This month’s semi-regular ‘Market Ride’ from Brimscombe Mill to the Stroud Farmers’ Market celebrates International Women’s Day, with suffragette-themed fancy dress and a soundtrack of music from female artists. Meet in town at 10:15am outside 10 John Street, or assemble at the mill from 11am for a group ride along the A419 at 11:30am.
Continuing all week
- Celebrate Stroud Sisterhood Week at Lansdown Gallery – Tue 4 – Sun 9 Mar, 10am – 5pm
Stroud Sisterhood hosts a special week of events to mark International Women’s Day, with participants aiming to create collaborative pieces in line with this year’s theme, Weaving Together, Dreaming in a Way of Being. Expect craft, weaving, drumming, meditation, yoga and more throughout the week.
Further afield
- Go late at the Wilson – Wed 5 Mar – 6pm – 9pm
The Wilson, Cheltenham’s art gallery and museum hosts the latest of its artist-led late openings which take place on the first Wednesday of each month, offering free entry and performances open to all. This month’s event features a creative writing workshop from 6.30pm with artist in residence Loz Apperly, open mic poetry, a chance to get hands-on with sound playground Bleephaus and a performance from the Cheltenham Improvisers Orchestra.
For a full month of art, music, theatre, literature, film and comedy events, pick up a copy of Stroud’s popular listings magazine, Good on Paper.
