Support your secret garden!

‘Secret Artist’ is a fundraiser for Stroud’s very own Secret Garden, an 18th century Walled Garden hidden away behind the Museum in the beautiful grounds of Stratford Park. As work continues on opening up the garden , so does fundraising for this exciting project. ‘Secret Artist’ offers you a chance to acquire an affordable work of art on a postcard, as well as supporting a good cause at the same time.

Talented local artists and art students from Stroud School of Art are busy creating beautiful works of art for this special weekend exhibition. Rumour has it that there will once again be an eclectic and fascinating display of postcards adorning the walls of Gallery 2, textiles and photography as well as drawings and paintings, perhaps even mosaics and jewellery too.

The first Secret Artist postcard received this year came from award winning, internationally acclaimed illustrator and graphic designer Tony Meeuwissen. Tony Meeuwissen has lived in the Stroud hills and valleys for over 30 years. From album covers to Penguin book jackets, Royal Mail stamps to award winning books, his intricate and witty designs have delighted us for decades. His V&A commissioned playing cards ‘The Key to the Kingdom’ won him the WHSmith illustration award, and his Weather postage stamps were voted 'best loved stamps' of 2001 … the person who’s lucky enough to win Tony’s work is very, very lucky indeed!

So how does ‘Secret Artist’ work exactly? As the name suggests its something of a mystery … Art lovers and Museum visitors are invited to help raise much-needed funds for the Garden by coming along to the Museum on 16 and 17 November and buying a ‘Secret Artist ticket’ for £15 before they run out. Each ticket entitles you to one postcard … but you won’t know which one until a week later when you come to collect it or when you receive your card by post!

… do save the dates, share the secret and support your local Museum! 

Contact for further information  Abigail Large, Museum Administrator, tel: 01453 763394 email abigail.large@stroud.gov.uk

Detail of the 18^th Century ornamental Walled Garden gate  © Steve Russell

Walled Garden teasels  © Dave Cockcroft