Pop up shops have dramatically changed the landscape of Stroud High Street in the last few years, brilliantly utilising the ever increasing empty shops to create a platform and temporary exhibition spaces for independent local artists.
From Stroud Valley Artspace's regular exhibitions at the old Millets shop and their ongoing Meanwhile project (which includes Up This Way in Merrywalks Shopping Centre and Sally Hampson's Weaving Shed at 29 High Street), to Clay Sinclair's popup gallery at number 48 High Street and Gemma Kay Waggett's Nothing But Navy it continues to showcase the towns burgeoning arts scene whilst offering a stark contrast to high street chains and pound shops...
This month TOTO Design Collective; a Stroud based group of designers, artists and craft workers have taken up residence in the Old Eclipse shop at no 39 King Street to show a selection of interiors, textiles, sculpture and paintings. Open for just two weeks it features work by Tony Hunt (structural engineer turned painter), Polly Lyster (hand dyed textiles), Kim Francis (sculptor), Adele Bond-Powell (seamstress working with antique fabrics), Joe Lyster (lighting designer), Ioni Lyster (designer and artist) and Isabel Lyster (puppetry and mobiles).
Witnessing their collection of uniquely different works in such an unconventional setting truly allows you to see them in a different light, and upon entering a pop up shop it does feel special in someway - knowing you might be visiting something for the first and last time...
The pop up store is open from Monday to Saturday, 10am - 5pm until Saturday 2nd July. Follow the collective on facebook and instagram - for further information call them on 01453 885 036 / 07828671383
Pop on in.