One Day Symposium - 21st Century Textiles will be held on May 10th 2008.

Five shining stars in the world of contemporary textiles, each at the peak of their career and at the forefront of contemporary textiles, will be presenting at a one day symposium, which will explore new directions and new thinking, and encourage lots of debate and discussion, during this year's Stroudwater International Textile Festival.

Participating Speakers are: Marie O'Mahony
Marie is an independent consultant specialising in advanced textiles and technology. Writer, curator, lecturer. Co writer 'Techno Textiles 2: Revolutionary Fabrics for Fashion & Design' Presentation: Collaboration – the Future of Textiles

- Sarah E Braddock Clarke
Writer, curator & lecturer. Co-author of 'Techno Textiles 2: Revolutionary Fabrics for Fashion & Design' with Marie O'Mahony. Sarah will be focusing on new materials and their applications to fashion and art.

Presentation: 'The New Flexibles'materials and techniques will be discussed & samples brought to experience their handle and construction

- Rebecca Earley
Designer and Reader of Textiles Environment Design (TED) at Chelsea College of Art & Design. Curator Crafts Council's 'Well Fashioned: Eco Style in the UK'

Presentation: Textiles and the Environment, and the role and responsibility of the textile designer in the future

- Sally Freshwater
Principal Lecturer at School of Art & Design, University of Hertfordshire and Programme Leader on MA Art Practices. She uses textiles in large site-specific structures, working with architects and architect practices.
 
 Presentation: 'Development of site specific work – working with architecture'

- Jennifer Shellard
London College of Fashion. Programme Leader Surface Textiles
BA Hons fashion, Design & technology. Research into light responsive materials; woven textiles.

Presentation: 'LIGHT CLOTH'
is a body of work which explores interactions of colour between hand woven textiles and projected, manipulated light.

The day will be chaired by Dr. Polly Binns Research Professor in Visual Culture at Buckinghamshire New University. Writer, tutor, lecturer, arts advisor. Polly has also exhibited worldwide

The Symposium Day is to take place at the Stroud College in Gloucestershire, on May 10th 2008.

21st Century Textiles is part of an exciting 21 days of exhibitions, events, talks, workshops that celebrate the diversity of textiles in the annual Stroudwater International Textile Festival.

Festival Director, Lizzi Walton: “I can't wait for this year's festival programme to hit the streets.

Stroudwater International Textile Festival is becoming the place to be in May for anyone who has an interest in textiles, It is the only festival in the UK on the subject, and the only festival to link heritage with contemporary.

2008 brings together international names to join compelling voices with national acclaim, in 21 days of debate, discussion, great exhibitions and events. I am particularly excited about this symposium which I know will be a stimulating and exciting day”.