NOW in its tenth year, the SIT Select annual festival returns this weekend, full of inspiring things to see and enjoy, with exhibitions, talks, workshops, a one-day seminar and more than 150 artists taking part in venues around the Five Valleys.

Presenting leading international artists alongside emerging talent from the world of contemporary applied arts and design, Sit Select creates a platform for makers and art collectives to show new work.

Festival highlights include The Sewing Machine Project: A Contemporary View of the Iron Needlewoman.

This well-researched exhibition, exploring all aspects of the sewing machine, opens at the Museum in the Park on May 3.

Created by the Studio 21 artists, it features subject matter ranging from sewing machine mechanics, decoration and operation to personal and social histories.

In the town centre, playful interpretations of the iconic shift dress can be spotted in shop windows, on the Shiftworks Trail.

Also in central Stroud, artist Pamela Bowden will be showing her work Through, an investigation into the dishcloth as relic, at Meme art café, from Saturday. Pamela’s background as an ethno-archaeological ceramicist led her to explore concepts of time, fragility and the impermanent nature of life.

The Select Trail of open studios and artist-led exhibitions will take place over the weekends of May 7-8, and May 14-15.

SIT select will be running a mini bus to the venues over the two weekends.

Sit Select opens on Saturday and continues until May 22.

For further information please visit sitselect.org