Stroud Snowdrop Celebration
Jan
24
to Jan 25

Stroud Snowdrop Celebration

  • The Museum in the Park (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Celebrate the re-opening of the Museum and 10 years of the Walled Garden with our special snowdrop weekend for all ages. View the Walled Garden Collection of Snowdrops based on those listed in the Catalogues of the Giant Snowdrop Co. of Hyde, Stroud, which operated in the 50s and early 1960s. You can also visit a special Snowdrop plant sale from Old Court Nurseries and snap up some snowdrops for your own garden or neighbourhood.

Family-friendly craft activity table, Artist in Residence Ruth Illingworth, and the whole Museum to explore, with 10% discount on all shop purchases. Miss Daisy’s Pop Up Café will be selling delicious warming soup and sweet and savoury treats in the Garden Pavilion.

Helen Picton from Old Court Nurseries will give a talk at 2pm on Saturday: ‘Harbingers of Spring - Snowdrops and more’ - click here to book your tickets.

Visit our Giant Snowdrop Company page to discover more about Stroud’s Snowdrop heritage.

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Exhibition: A Moveable Refreshment - Works Old and New by Robert Race
Jan
24
to Mar 8
Exhibition

Exhibition: A Moveable Refreshment - Works Old and New by Robert Race

  • The Museum in the Park (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

We invite you to discover the wonderful world of Robert Race. His ingenious inventions combine humour, wit and wonder, and a delight in re-purposing discarded objects and found, recycled and natural materials. He is an exceptionally skilled maker of toys and automata and his work delights children and adults alike. Come lift your spirits and be enchanted!

This special exhibition will be accompanied by half term holiday activities for all ages - please watch this space for updates.

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Talk with Helen Picton: Harbingers of Spring - Snowdrops and more
Jan
24
2:00 PM14:00
Talk

Talk with Helen Picton: Harbingers of Spring - Snowdrops and more

An illustrated talk with Helen Picton, of Picton Gardens and the Old Court Nursery, part of the Museum's 2026 Snowdrop Celebration.

In this talk Helen will look at the range of plants including snowdrops that act as the heralds of spring and help to bring gardeners out of winter hibernation. Guaranteed to delight and inspire both experienced gardeners, and those who are just starting out on their gardening journeys.

Don't forget to visit the Walled Garden Snowdrop Stall from Old Court Nursery before or after the talk. Tea and coffee included.

Tickets £10 (£7.50 Concs, £6 Museum in the Park Members)

Booking required. Book online here or call 01453 763394 and leave your name, number of tickets requested and your telephone number.

Did you know? Museum in the Park Membership is FREE to join. As a Member you'll receive monthly e-newsletters with behind the scenes insights, details of upcoming events and exhibitions, and you'll be entitled to special discounts on selected events. 

Click here to join and support your local Museum, Art Gallery & Walled Garden.

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Early Morning Yoga: Vinyasa Flow with Emma Tilley
Jan
27
to Mar 24

Early Morning Yoga: Vinyasa Flow with Emma Tilley

  • The Museum in the Park (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Join Emma Tilley for an early morning yoga class in the light and airy Pavilion overlooking the beautiful Walled Garden. Get your body moving; get stronger, find balance, find strength and ease. Each 60-minute session includes a blissful relaxation to leave you feeling ready for the rest of your day. All abilities welcome; options are given to make poses as accessible or as challenging as individuals need them to be.

Please bring your own yoga mat and water bottle. If you don’t have a mat or have any questions, please email Emma.

Click here for further details, dates and bookings.

Times: 9.15am - 10.15am

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Seasons of Life: Tuesday Morning Singing Series
Jan
27
to Mar 24

Seasons of Life: Tuesday Morning Singing Series

  • The Museum in the Park (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Lift your spirits and enjoy singing seasonal folk songs in this new friendly, informal group run by Eleanor Holliday. For all ages, this intergenerational group is for anyone who loves the feel-good energy of singing with others or wishes to try singing for the first time. No pressure, no performance … just come and have a go!

All you need is a willingness to commit to the series and fairly good eyesight (song words are written on a flipchart).

This group is for everyone and aims to bring different generations together – come on your own, or come with your baby, toddler or grand-child. After the session you can buy hot or cold drinks, cakes and snacks in the museum’s foyer café or enjoy time exploring the museum and walled garden.

Dates: Weekly from 27 January to 24 March 2026  (8 sessions, no session on 17 February)
Times: 10.15am - 11.15am 
Venue: Meeting Room, Museum in the Park, Stratford Park, Stroud GL5 4AF
What to bring: bring your water bottle (ask at reception if you need a re-fill)
Max. number of places: 30
Cost: £40 (accompanying children free)
Advance booking required – book online here or call 01453 763394

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Yoga Wellness Day: Flourish and Flow Day Retreat
Jan
31
10:00 AM10:00

Yoga Wellness Day: Flourish and Flow Day Retreat

A rejuvenating day retreat designed to help you move, reset, and truly flourish.

Step away from the everyday and immerse yourself in a holistic experience that nurtures both body and mind. This retreat is thoughtfully curated to promote active wellness, mindful connection, and personal growth, leaving you feeling refreshed and inspired.

What to Expect

Mindful Movement, engage in guided yoga and movement practices that encourage exploration, balance, and strength. Each session is designed to deepen your mind-body connection and create space for self-awareness.

Breathwork Workshop, learn powerful breathing techniques to calm the mind, energize the body, and restore balance.

Reset and Flourish, take time for stillness and reflection. Enjoy nourishing vegan refreshments and a wholesome plant-based lunch, complemented by creative and inspiring activities that spark joy and encourage personal expression.

Creative Crafting with Crystals, explore the beauty and energy of crystals through a mindful craft activity designed to inspire creativity and connection.

Guided Meditation, end the day with a deeply relaxing meditation session, leaving you grounded, centred, and ready to flourish beyond the retreat.

This retreat is perfect for anyone seeking:

  • A break from routine to recharge and reset

  • Gentle yet empowering movement experiences

  • Inspiration and creativity in a tranquil setting

  • A sense of community and shared wellness

Cost: £65 Active Lifestyles Members, £80 non-members

Booking essential - call 01453 766771

Venue: Museum in the Park Garden Room & Active Lifestyles, Stratford Park

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Drop-in Half Term Holiday Workshops
Feb
17
to Feb 20
Spring Half Term

Drop-in Half Term Holiday Workshops

  • The Museum in the Park (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

This half term holiday we’ll be making toys and art inspired by the wonderful work of Robert Race - visit his amazing exhibition in the Art Gallery. We’ll also take a look at toys and games of the past, and play some of the games our great-grand parents enjoyed in times gone by. Further details will be shared nearer the time. All welcome, some activities free and some £1 per child.

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Stroud Film Festival Event: The Penwith Gate
Mar
8
11:30 AM11:30

Stroud Film Festival Event: The Penwith Gate

Most Festival films showing at the Museum have a local connection, but this one takes us to a special landscape in Cornwall, exploring a humble yet beautiful heritage craft tradition.

The historic Penwith Gate is at least 150 years old. Made by local blacksmiths at a time pre-dating arc welding, it is held together simply by nuts, and decorated with purely ornamental scrolls on the top bar. Artist Blacksmith Peter Parkinson considers it a design classic, a perfect example of form following function. It came to be called the Penwith Gate because it was made exclusively on the Land’s End Peninsula in Cornwall.

Peter shares his passion for the Penwith Gate in this 43 minute documentary: “To me these everyday objects are works of art and deserve to be recognised as such.”

Completed in 2024 by A38 Films, the film premiered at Newlyn Filmhouse in April 2025. It first showed in Stroud last September as part of the British Artist Blacksmiths Association Conference, linked to the Earth Fire Iron exhibition celebrating local Artist Blacksmith Alan Evans.

After the film you are invited to join directors Mick and Peter, and Peter Harper and Lesley Greene, for a Q&A - a chance to share your thoughts on heritage crafts and the benefits of good design.

 The Penwith Gate: 43 minute documentary, Directed by Mick Catmull, A38 Films

 Bookings open soon

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Exhibition: Print in The Park
Mar
14
to Apr 26
Exhibition

Exhibition: Print in The Park

  • The Museum in the Park (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Print in the Park is an exhibition of GPC Members’ work that responds to the Museum collections and surroundings.

To celebrate 20 Years of the Gloucestershire Printmaking Coop, and 25 years of the Museum in the Park, over 40 of the Coop’s members are making prints that evolve from looking at the collections in the museums or have taken inspiration from the incredible grounds and surrounding arboretum. There will be an exciting range of screen prints, etchings, wood engraving, collagraphs, lino cuts, woodcut and multidisciplinary print works.

The exhibition will be accompanied by a Print Fair on the 18th & 19th April - with well over 20 different stallholders, from both the GPC Membership and Printmakers from farther afield.

There will also be a number of bookable Printmaking Workshops during the exhibition including a drop in Zine Workshop for children.

For more information about GPC visit www.gpchq.co.uk

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Workshop: Collagraphs with Jane Sasanow
Mar
19
10:30 AM10:30
Workshop

Workshop: Collagraphs with Jane Sasanow

Collagraphs are central to Jane's printmaking practice, along with Lino and letterpress. In this workshop you will get an insight into how to respond to objects in the Museum's collection to prepare and print a small collagraph. Suitable for adults (ages 18+) - for beginners and those who are interested in developing a multimedia approach to printmaking.

Cost: £85 (£80 for Museum in the Park Members)

Only 6 spaces so advance booking essential. Book online here or call 01453 763394.

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Zine Team! Workshop for Children and their Grown Ups
Apr
1
10:30 AM10:30
Workshop

Zine Team! Workshop for Children and their Grown Ups

Join the Zine Team with Philippa C Thomas & Hector MacInnes from GPC!

Come along and work together on a huge collective zine about the Museum. Philippa and Hector will show you how to use accessible and quick techniques like monoprint, letterpress, rubber stamp making and collage. Drop in whenever you want to make your mark - and come back at the end of the day if you can to see the finished zine.

For ages 6+. Bring a grown up with you.

Cost: £2 per child, pay on the door.

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Zine Team! Workshop for Children and their Grown Ups
Apr
8
10:30 AM10:30
Workshop

Zine Team! Workshop for Children and their Grown Ups

Join the Zine Team with Philippa C Thomas & Hector MacInnes from GPC!

Come along and work together on a huge collective zine about the Museum. Philippa and Hector will show you how to use accessible and quick techniques like monoprint, letterpress, rubber stamp making and collage. Drop in whenever you want to make your mark - and come back at the end of the day if you can to see the finished zine.

For ages 6+. Bring a grown up with you.

Cost: £2 per child, pay on the door.

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Workshop: Print Tree Rings with Charlie Ash
Apr
17
10:30 AM10:30
Workshop

Workshop: Print Tree Rings with Charlie Ash

Day workshop with tutor Charlie Ash, you’ll discover how the captivating, complex patterns of organic material can be made into relief prints. Tree rings make fantastic natural printing blocks, as they can be easily worked to reveal the concentric rings formed by their yearly growth. Using locally sourced woods such as Ash, Beech, Oak, Hazel and Hawthorn, we’ll be taking a close up look at the different grains of native tree species, and learning how to prepare them into relief blocks. For adults (ages 18+), beginners welcome.

Cost: £85 (£80 for Museum in the Park Members)

Only 8 places so advance booking essential. Book online here or call 01453 763394.

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Spring Print Fair
Apr
18
to Apr 19

Spring Print Fair

  • The Museum in the Park (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Save the dates! GPC are organising a special Spring Print Fair on the 18 and 19 April, to accompany their ‘Print in the Park’ exhibition. Come and admire, browse and buy diverse original prints and meet the artists, with well over 20 different stallholders. Exhibitors will be from both the GPC Membership and guest Printmakers from farther afield.

There will also be Museum explorer trails for children to enjoy, a 10% discount in the Museum Shop, and hot and cold drinks, cakes and refreshments available to buy. Don’t forget to explore the beautiful Walled Garden and park grounds too. Everyone welcome.

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Workshop: Wood Engraving with Peter Collins
Apr
24
10:30 AM10:30
Workshop

Workshop: Wood Engraving with Peter Collins

A workshop for beginners, and those with a little experience, curious to try the fascinating art of Wood Engraving, used since the 18th century for illustration. Create an illustration or independent artwork to hang on your wall or send to friends as cards.

Using the polished end grain of a small hardwood block, you will learn how to engrave a design of your own choosing, and take some prints. 

For adults (ages 18+), beginners welcome.

Cost: £85 (£80 for Museum in the Park Members)

Only 6 places so advance booking essential. Book online here or call 01453 763394.

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Earth Magic Symposium: Day 2
Dec
21
1:30 PM13:30

Earth Magic Symposium: Day 2

On the Winter Solstice and final day of the ‘Earth Magic’ exhibition, come and join artists and the exhibition curator, Patricia Brien, to explore and reflect:

Tracing time and place 

Traditional ritual, animate materiality, and entangled histories 

1:30pm - 2:30pm Artists talks & research:
Tim Parry-Williams discusses the archival research woven into ‘Almanac (Winter)’.
Sofie Krogh Stautz presents her work on ‘Excavation of the Goddess’ & dialogue with ancient sacred artefacts.
2:40pm-3:30pm Artist, designer, & folklorist
Libby Bove repositions folk custom & magical practice in daily life & discusses The Museum of Roadside Magic which will be ‘live’ outside the Museum and open for visitors.
3:30pm-4pm Closing ceremony: solstice ritual Geraldine Hudson A Rite of Return

Free but donations welcome - please give what you can. Teas & coffee included.

Booking recommended. Book online here or call 01453 763394.

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The Museum of Roadside Magic
Dec
21
11:30 AM11:30

The Museum of Roadside Magic

Come and be enchanted by the Museum of Roadside Magic!

This little nomadic museum will be stopping off in Stroud for the last day of the Earth Magic exhibition, and the Winter Solstice. There will be magical merchandise to browse and buy too.

Photo by Dom Moore, courtesy of KARST Gallery Plymouth. 

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Festive Winter Craft Activities
Dec
21
11:00 AM11:00

Festive Winter Craft Activities

Come and see us on our last day open of 2025! It’s not too late …. if you still need some festive cards, gift tags, decorations or gifts, come along and enjoy making them in our lovely warm and cozy Garden Pavilion. Discover our festive Museum Explorer Trail too.

All ages welcome, free, donations welcome.

The Museum will be closed from 23 December for its Annual Deep Clean, re-opening late January 2026.

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Community Carol Singing at The Museum in the Park
Dec
20
3:00 PM15:00

Community Carol Singing at The Museum in the Park

We invite you to come together to sing traditional Victorian and Edwardian carols led by inspirational choir leader Eleanor Holliday, with the talented Robert Kempner at the keyboard. Everyone welcome, come and enjoy singing together in the Garden Pavilion. Song sheets will be available to help you remember the words, warming drinks will be served, a free community event but donations welcome.

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Earth Magic Symposium: Day 1
Dec
20
1:00 PM13:00

Earth Magic Symposium: Day 1

On the final weekend of the ‘Earth Magic’ exhibition, and the darkest time of the year, come and explore the world of ancient mysteries, ley lines, folklore and archaeology.

Following the magic

Saturday, 20 December 2025 1:00pm - 4:00pm
1pm - 1:55pm Niche publications, the earth mysteries and the paranormal. Editors (at different points) Danny Sullivan with Neil Mortimer discuss the trajectories of the Gloucestershire Earth Mysteries (GEM) and 3rd Stone journals
2pm -2:55pm Artistic practice in the realms of the ancients. Liz Poraj-Wilczynska presents her archeological, ritualised & durational research project with Belas Knap, a Neolithic barrow site in Gloucestershire.
3pm Reading: Dougal Kirkland - Ancient bogs, art practice and queer ecologies thinking
3:30pm Musical intervention: Rachel Musson                                       Rachel Musson is a saxophonist, improviser and composer and a current (2024-2027) recipient of the prestigious Paul Hamlyn Composer award. She has spent the last decade immersed in improvised music, and has also gradually been introducing composed elements into her work, drawing on text, field recordings and processing sounds.

Free but donations welcome - please give what you can. Teas & coffees included.

Booking recommended, book online here or call 01453 763394

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Family Drop-in Workshop: Make a 2026 Family Almanac Zine with Jenny Bowers
Dec
13
2:00 PM14:00

Family Drop-in Workshop: Make a 2026 Family Almanac Zine with Jenny Bowers

Illustrator and inspirer Jenny Bowers will be back at the Museum with another super special workshop to accompany the ‘Earth Magic’ exhibition.

Families with children aged 5+ are invited to join Jenny and make your very own family almanac zine. Come and have fun being creative!

Free, donations very welcome, no need to book just drop in.

Part of the Earth Magic exhibition programme curated by Patricia Brien.

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SOLD OUT Talk with Kirsty Hartsiotis: A Cotswold Arts and Crafts Christmas
Dec
12
10:30 AM10:30
Talk

SOLD OUT Talk with Kirsty Hartsiotis: A Cotswold Arts and Crafts Christmas

Gloucestershire was at the heart of the Arts and Crafts Movement, with many artists, architects and craftspeople settling in the area for life. At the same time at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th people were reviving the old folk traditions in our villages and towns, and the artists and designers of the Movement were part of that – especially at Christmas time. Discover how they spent their Christmases, the carols they sang, and the art they produced as personal gifts for each other, the books and song sheets they illustrated - as well as exploring Christmas-based art we can all visit in our churches.

  • This talk takes place in the Museum’s meeting room next to the art gallery.

  • Duration approximately 45 minutes to one hour.

  • Tea, coffee and mince pies included.

Tickets £7 (£5 for Museum in the Park Members)

Booking required. Book online or call 01453 763394

Image: Stained glass by M. E. Aldrich Rope, 1939, St. John, Hartley Wintney, Hampshire © Cathy Stillman-Lowe

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Festive Winter Buzz Club
Dec
7
11:00 AM11:00

Festive Winter Buzz Club

Please save the date!

Join Buzz Club and friends for a morning of crafts, candle dipping, an update from BuzzClub Ghana, delicious soup and rolls and more.

Family-friendly event, free entry, small charge for some activities to pay for materials, all ages welcome. Miss Daisy’s soup, cakes and sweet treats will be available to buy. Donations to support our friends BuzzClub Ghana very welcome.

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MARE Workshop: Animism in the Contemporary Realm
Nov
30
10:00 AM10:00

MARE Workshop: Animism in the Contemporary Realm

This workshop with Geraldine Hudson is part of the Earth Magic exhibition programme:

MARE Workshop #1

Animism in the Contemporary Realm. Re-cognition and co-creation.

“ MARE is a nomadic art school which has at its core an intention to recognise, honour and work with the entanglements of Magick, Art & Ecology through a series of seminars and workshops, and eventually a longer course. There is no academic goal or product outcome, rather a hope to activate and facilitate individuals to realise the potential they are capable of through their art making, and how this in turn has the potential to facilitate re-alignment, re-conciliation and co-creativity with our other than human beings and the planet.”

For further details and tickets click here.

‘Earth Magic, Collective Mysteries’ shows in the Museum’s Art Gallery from 15 November to 21 December 2025.

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CANCELLED Story-weaving Workshop: Working with the myth of the Cailleach
Nov
29
2:00 PM14:00

CANCELLED Story-weaving Workshop: Working with the myth of the Cailleach

Sorry - this workshop has been cancelled due to illness. Keep warm and well!

A workshop with Cat Rogers responding with the myth of the Caileach - in essence, a seasonal deity - she who rules the winter months in various Celtic traditions in the British Isles. Participants will be encouraged to use all their senses in a playful adventure working with their own story to weave earth magic into it. The workshop will be 2 hours and includes an invitation to bring a story to work with, an open heart to work in a small group and enjoy a place of hope and healing amidst the stress and anxiety of today's world.  

Taking inspiration from the changing seasons, and the spiral of life, time and memory, Cat seek out stories in liminal spaces, where it seems they have been waiting to weave their magic. Her process has developed through study of astrology, tarot and shamanic healing, as well as reading, researching and listening to old and familiar stories, told by different voices around the world.  

Tickets £10 (£7 concs), booking required.

Book online or call 01453 763394

Part of the Earth Magic exhibition programme

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Family Drop-in Workshop: Make a Calendar Stick with Jenny Bowers
Nov
22
2:00 PM14:00

Family Drop-in Workshop: Make a Calendar Stick with Jenny Bowers

Illustrator and inspirer Jenny Bowers will be back at the Museum with a super special workshop to accompany the ‘Earth Magic’ exhibition.

Families with children aged 5+ are invited to join Jenny and make your very own family primstav, a traditional Norwegian calendar stick. As we look towards the end of the year and beginning of a new one, this is the perfect time to create a very special family calendar and learn about traditional Norwegian folk calendars as you enjoy making together.

Free, donations very welcome, no need to book just drop in.

Part of the Earth Magic exhibition programme curated by Patricia Brien.

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Display: Prince Albert Carol Consort
Nov
18
to Dec 21
Community Display

Display: Prince Albert Carol Consort

  • The Museum in the Park (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

The Prince Albert Carol Consort (PACC) marks its 25th anniversary in 2025. This growing community of singers meets annually in December to sing carols at the Prince Albert public house in Rodborough.

The carols are not the usual ones sung at Christmas - they are part of a living folk tradition found in several parts of England, sung  in four part harmony during the 18th and 19th centuries, when village bands provided the music in the churches.

The PACC meets on Sunday lunchtimes in December, and all are welcome to sing.

To mark its 25th anniversary, this small retrospective display explores what makes the events special and why the seasonal sessions have endured.  

The Space community gallery, First Floor

Free, donations welcome

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Earth Magic Exhibition Opening Event
Nov
15
2:30 PM14:30

Earth Magic Exhibition Opening Event

Underworld mythos: dreaming, decomposition, regeneration

Join exhibition artists for the opening of the new exhibition, ‘Earth Magic, Collective Mysteries’.

Artists Wendy Sharpe and Louise van den Muyzenburg talk about their practices and work with curator Patricia Brien.

Musical intervention: Arbouring, Part 1.

All welcome, no need to book just come along. Free but donations appreciated to support the Art Gallery programme.

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Earth Magic, Collective Mysteries
Nov
15
to Dec 21

Earth Magic, Collective Mysteries

  • The Museum in the Park (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

‘Earth Magic’ is a contemporary multimedia group exhibition curated by Patricia Brien. It includes work by local, national and international artists and a new soundscape composed by Simon McCorry.

“This exhibition is a dialogue with ‘earth mysteries’ in the contemporary cultural sphere. It is framed by collective folkloric traditions, ancient mythologies, contemporary animisms and cosmological thinking. For human dwellers, the Earth and its mysteries exist in a multiplicity of meanings and layers; celestial body, materiality, landscapes, home. As an artistic exploration of the ‘earth as entity’, the permeation of digital technology and associated capitalist captivation with the magical qualities intrinsic to rare earth minerals seemingly reverberates in an echo chamber of future tempos, tenses and tempests. Sensing the earth in the overwhelm of the digital era is an act akin to linking sightlines (or leylines) for safe passage. In this context, earth mysteries are not to be ‘solved’, rather, the off piste caverns of the imaginal underworld succor supernatural musings. They are ongoing projects with the land, magic, inklings; a curious refuge in the era of the Ecocene.” Patricia Brien, Curator

Patricia Brien is a Lecturer in Critical Design Thinking at Bath Spa University, curator, researcher, and artist.

Accompanied by special events and workshops.

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Display: Quarry Chapel Ceramics Project
Nov
11
to Dec 21
Community Display

Display: Quarry Chapel Ceramics Project

  • The Museum in the Park (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

This beautiful collection of tableware was designed and made by local young people who are struggling to attend school. Together with their parents and carers they attended a Cookery and Ceramics course at Quarry Chapel, Cam, to explore new skills in a safe environment. Over 10 weeks participants created their own personalised dinner set with local ceramic artist Karen Hilliard. They also learnt new cookery skills and rounded off the course by cooking a feast that was eaten off their own hand-made tableware!

This display showcases some of the wonderful pieces made through this project, which was funded by the Barnwood Trust.

Foyer display

Free - donations welcome

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SOLD OUT How to Be a Manga Artist with Baltazar Pagani & Fumio Obata  
Nov
9
3:30 PM15:30

SOLD OUT How to Be a Manga Artist with Baltazar Pagani & Fumio Obata  

Love manga? Keen to create your own? Then you mustn’t miss this brilliant workshop with two renowned experts in the genre.

Italian graphic novel publisher Baltazar Pagani and Japanese graphic novelist and illustrator Fumio Obata, co-authors of “How to Be a Manga Artist”, are coming to Stroud Book Festival to share their inside manga knowledge: from building stories and characters to exploring what makes manga special.

You’ll learn about some of manga’s most fascinating characters as you explore the secrets of manga storytelling and how each of us can tell our own stories through comics.

All materials provided – 30 places only. Accompanying adults do not need to buy a ticket but must remain on the premises for the duration of the workshop. You can explore the museum, gallery and shop where you’ll be entitled to a 10% discount. Alternatively, if you cannot stay, you’ll need to fill out a registration form when you arrive.

For ages 10-18. Tickets £12.

Booking essential! Book online at Stroud Book Festival 

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Spooky Story Writing Masterclass with Christopher Edge
Nov
8
3:30 PM15:30

Spooky Story Writing Masterclass with Christopher Edge

Do you love writing stories? Do you love all things thrilling and spine-chilling? Then you must not miss this spooky story Stroud Book Festival writing masterclass, led by award-winning author, Christopher Edge.

Drawing inspiration from his new book “Fear Files: Hide and Seek”, the first in a brand-new horror series, Christopher will help you beat your fear of the blank page and develop the skills you need to create spine-tingling stories! By the end of the workshop, everyone will have written the opening to their own chilling tale.

All materials provided – 30 places only. Accompanying adults do not need to buy a ticket but must remain on the premises for the duration of the workshop. You can explore the museum, gallery and shop where you’ll be entitled to a 10% discount. Alternatively, if you cannot stay, you’ll need to fill out a registration form when you arrive.

For ages 8–14. Tickets £12.

Booking essential! Book online at Stroud Book Festival

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Book Signing & Meet the Illustrator Tony Meeuwissen
Nov
8
2:00 PM14:00

Book Signing & Meet the Illustrator Tony Meeuwissen

Come along to The Museum in the Park’s cozy shop and foyer café and meet legendary illustrator Tony Meeuwissen. Snap up a copy of his wonderful book ‘Remarkable Animals’ - every home should have one and it makes an ideal gift for all ages!

Museum, gallery and shop open until 5pm on 8 and 9 November as part of Stroud Book Festival, with a special 10% Festival discount on all shop and café purchases.

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SOLD OUT Talk with Kirsty Hartsiotis: The Golden Age of British Book Illustration
Nov
7
10:30 AM10:30
Talk

SOLD OUT Talk with Kirsty Hartsiotis: The Golden Age of British Book Illustration

Discover how the art of book illustration flourished in Britain from the late 19th century to the early 20th century. From the first forays of the Pre-Raphaelites into illustration, Walter Crane's toy books, Edward Burne-Jones at William Morris's Kelmscott Press, as well as Aubrey Beardsley, Arthur Rackham, Edmund Dulac and many more – including people like Charles March Gere and Maxwell Armfield who worked here in the Cotswolds. This talk will uncover the new trends in art, design and technology that led to this flowering of excellence. It was an exciting time of experimentation on the one hand and lavish productions on the other - we'll explore this fascinating period when book illustration became a high art in and of itself.

This illustrated talk by Kirsty Hartsiotis is linked to Stroud Book Festival

  • Event takes place in the Museum’s meeting room next to the art gallery.

  • Duration approximately 45 minutes to one hour.

  • Tea and coffee included.

Tickets £7 (£5 for Museum in the Park Members)

Booking required. Book online or call 01453 763394

Image: ‘She went along, and went along, and went along’ by Arthur Rackham for English Folk Tales by Flora Annie Webster Steel (Macmillan and Co., 1922)

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FULLY BOOKED Seasons of Life: Tuesday Morning Singing Group
Nov
4
to Dec 15

FULLY BOOKED Seasons of Life: Tuesday Morning Singing Group

  • The Museum in the Park (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Lift your spirits and enjoy singing seasonal folk songs in this new friendly, informal group run by Eleanor Holliday. For all ages, this intergenerational group is for anyone who loves the feel-good energy of singing with others or wishes to try singing for the first time. No pressure, no performance … just come and have a go!

All you need is a willingness to commit to the series and fairly good eyesight (song words are written on a flipchart).

This group is for everyone and aims to bring different generations together – come on your own, or come with your baby, toddler or grand-child. After the session you can buy hot or cold drinks, cakes and snacks in the museum’s foyer café or enjoy time exploring the museum and walled garden.

Dates: November 4, 11, 18 & 25, December 2, 9 & 16 (7 sessions) 
Times: 10.15am - 11.15am 
Venue: Meeting Room, Museum in the Park, Stratford Park, Stroud GL5 4AF
What to bring: bring your water bottle (ask at reception if you need a re-fill)
Max. number of places: 25
Cost: £35 (accompanying children free)
Advance booking required – book online here or call 01453 763394

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Halloween Antics: Spooky Spiders & Scary Masks
Oct
30
11:00 AM11:00
October Half Term

Halloween Antics: Spooky Spiders & Scary Masks

Join Gaynor from Stroudwater Textile Trust and have fun with Halloween-themed crafts, making spooky spiders or scary masks or maybe even a glow-in-the-dark trick or treat bag. All ages welcome, a free family drop-in workshop in our downstairs Meeting Room, for parents/carers and children to enjoy together.

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Meet the Blacksmith & Watch Forging in Action
Oct
29
to Oct 31
October Half Term

Meet the Blacksmith & Watch Forging in Action

  • The Museum in the Park (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Meet Blacksmith Simon Bushell and encounter the inspiring Nowhere Forge and see it in action - a self-sufficient, sustainably powered mobile blacksmithing workshop. After appearing in Stroud town centre outside St Laurence Church, it makes its way to the Museum’s Walled Garden in time for the half term holidays.

Free entry, no need to book, all ages welcome but children must be accompanied and supervised by a parent or carer. Come and be enchanted by the Blacksmith’s craft!

Part of the Earth Fire Iron programme.

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Chasing Nature: Family Workshops with Students from Hereford College of Arts
Oct
29
to Oct 31
October Half Term

Chasing Nature: Family Workshops with Students from Hereford College of Arts

  • The Museum in the Park (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Looking for a fun, creative family activity this half term? Join our Chasing Nature mini metalworker drop-in workshop! This interactive session introduces families to basic metal chasing techniques to create votive plaques inspired by native plants and creatures and our beautiful Walled Garden.

Guided by Artist Blacksmithing students, you'll transfer your designs onto metal plates and use hammers and punches to emboss them, crafting unique art pieces to take home with you. Don’t miss this chance to blend creativity with nature and learn new skills.

For families with children aged 5+. Children must be accompanied and supervised by a parent or carer.

Head to the Garden Pavilion and book a place a place in person - we’re now operating on a booking basis due to HUGE demand for this fantastic workshop!

If we’ve run out of spaces please enjoy a free museum explorer trail instead, or watch blacksmithing demos in the Garden - the Nowhere Forge will be in action between 10.30am - 3.30pm.

Part of the Earth Fire Iron programme, supported by Arts Council England

With thanks to Mark, Ren and the wonderful team from HCA

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Tales from Acorn Wood Reading Trail
Oct
29
to Nov 9

Tales from Acorn Wood Reading Trail

  • The Museum in the Park (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

We’re taking part in Stroud Book Festival’s Tales from Acorn Wood trail! Collect your activity sheet from Stroud Library - or the Museum - and head out on your adventure. Can you find one animal hiding in the Museum, and others in shops around town? To enter the Book Festival prize draw hand your completed sheet in at Stroud Library. Good Luck!

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Autumn Crowns: Drop-in Family Workshop
Oct
28
10:30 AM10:30
October Half Term

Autumn Crowns: Drop-in Family Workshop

Enjoy a walk in the park collecting colourful fallen leaves and then come and join artist Corinne Hockley and make a gorgeous Autumn crown to wear!

For families with children of all ages, free but donations welcome to support the Museum.

Don’t forget to say hello to sculptor Natasha Houseago too - she’ll be showing visitors how to make charcoal with her mini forge.

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Charcoal Making & Drawing with Natasha Houseago
Oct
28
10:30 AM10:30
October Half Term

Charcoal Making & Drawing with Natasha Houseago

Come and join Natasha Houseago who will be running an outdoor charcoal drawing workshop using her tiny Indian, jewellery making forge to make stick charcoal in old tobacco tin ovens. 

Natasha will prepare ash drawing boards so you can make some ‘Earth Fire Iron’ exhibition inspired charcoal drawings on the boards. 

It might be interesting to look at how nature has inspired Alan Evan's beautiful metal work, and work by young makers such as Neve Taylor-Bridges whose sculpture ‘Arachne’ is on display in the Walled Garden. From Spider's webs, to stalks and leaves there are so many natural references in the exhibition. 

You will be able to take your drawing home after it's been spray varnished. All ages welcome, but please wear warm layers! Hot drinks and cakes available to buy inside.

Free, donations welcome, part of the Earth Fire Iron programme.

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Display: Forging for Wellbeing
Oct
28
to Nov 14

Display: Forging for Wellbeing

  • The Museum in the Park (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

This special display showcases work by young people who took part in an 8 week programme funded by the Ironmongers Company and coordinated by Community autism support and advice (CASA). 8 young people with Autism diagnoses had the opportunity to work with Arian Leljak at his forge in Cranham as part of the Earth Fire Iron celebration of the life and work of Alan Evans.

This exhibition is a collection of items made by the participants during the course.

With thanks to the Ironmongers Company for their generous funding and Lesley Greene for her tireless help in making this event possible, and thanks to Arian for facilitating such inspiring workshops. Above all, thanks and praise to all the young makers for sharing their work with us.

Foyer Display Case outside the Gallery

Free entry, donations welcome

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Film Show: Room on the Broom
Oct
26
5:00 PM17:00
October Half Term

Film Show: Room on the Broom

As part of our Green Halloween event with SVP we’ll be showing this much-loved animated film based on the wonderful children's picture book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler

A kind witch invites a surprising collection of animals to join her on her broom, much to the frustration of her cat. The gang ultimately saves the witch from a fearsome dragon, and in gratitude she rewards them with a magnificent new broom which has room for everyone. A magical tale about friendship and family from the producers of the hugely successful The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo's Child.

Featuring the voices of Gillian Anderson (Witch), Rob Brydon (Cat), Martin Clunes (Dog), Sally Hawkins (Bird), Simon Pegg (Narrator), Timothy Spall (Dragon) and David Walliams (Frog).

Free entry for all families and individuals who are taking part in the carved Pumpkin Lantern Trail which shows from 5.30pm to 6pm outside the Museum. No need to book, just drop off your carved pumpkin, marrow or turnip by 5pm sharp, then head to the Meeting Room and enjoy the show. All ages welcome.

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Miss Daisy's Pop Up Food & Drink Stall
Oct
26
4:00 PM16:00
October Half Term

Miss Daisy's Pop Up Food & Drink Stall

As part of SVP’s Green Halloween afternoon, Miss Daisy will be selling her delicious homemade soup, sausage rolls, yummy cakes and hot drinks outside the Museum. So if you get peckish while you wait to see your pumpkin lantern glowing in the dark, be sure to say hello and treat yourselves! Cash preferred if possible please.

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