Where: Stroud and Stonehouse (various locations)

When: Saturday and Sunday, September 7-8

The canal is the focal point for the Stroud community who have collaborated with local and regional artists to discover, connect, and interpret producing work that expresses their relationship with local place.

The result is a collection of work that will be exhibited over the weekend of September 7-8.

Printmaking, station performances, poetry, graffiti and soundscapes are just some of the art forms used to explore relationships with the canal for local people.

With over 190 local people and artists involved, these exhibitions celebrate diversity, place and interpretation and invite the question of 'who gets to call themselves an artist?'

EXHIBITION LISTINGS:

'While You Wait' Stories of the canal told by community voices, an installation

Location: Stroud Station Hub, Platform 2, Stroud Train Station

Time: 12pm to 4pm, September 7-8

Community voices heard by installation artist Tara Downs - Radio Droogdok/Miniature Museum and Jo Leahy Resound Radio

'Now leaving from Platform 2' A platform performance inspired by local people and their stories

Location: Platform 2, Stroud Train Station

Time: 2.30pm, Saturday, September 7

Community stories performed by performed by poet Jonny Fluffypunk and performative historian Stuart Butler.

'Walled Works' Graffiti as canal side art and youth community voice

Location: Canal side wall opposite the Upper Lock Café and Haywards Bridge, Stonehouse

Time: Throughout the festival

Youth community groups The Door and Stroud Youth Voice with the renowned Dan Sparks Collective and Graham "Paris" Dews.

'Connecting Communities' Flags to celebrate and connect canal communities from Stroud and the UK

Location: Canal bridges from Stroud to Stonehouse

Time: 12pm to 5pm, September 7-8

Community groups Change Grow Live, Cotswold Canals Trust Volunteers, GEM participants, and Access Bike working with artist Deb Hoy.

'Wildlife Imprints' Celebrating the canal as a wildlife corridor through printmaking

Location: Stroud Brewery

Time: 11am to 4pm, September 7-8

Community groups ReConnect, Moreton House residents, and Interplay with Creative Sustainability artists cooperative

'Our Place' Art that explores local places and our sense of ownership of where we live

Location: Stroud and Stonehouse Railway Station Galleries, platforms 1 and 2

Time: Throughout the festival

Walled Works in focus. Community groups The Door and Stroud and Stonehouse Youth Groups collaborate with the renowned Dan Sparks Collective and Graham "Paris" Dews.

Creative Sustainability is leading on community engagement for the Cotswold Canals Connected project and is engaging the wider community with the Wool and Water Festival. With thanks to National Heritage Lottery Fund, The Arts Council and private donors.