Swindon & Wiltshire News
Swindon Paint Fest coming to a wall near you this weekend
More than 50 artists from around the world will bring their creative skills to Swindon this weekend for the third annual Paint Fest.
The event will see large-scale murals adorn buildings across the town for the third year.
The festival also includes a range of activities for adults and children looking to hone their skills.
A clothing & tie dye workshop, a body painting demo and a spray can art workshop, will be held on Saturday, August 31 at Artsite on Theatre Square. On Sunday, September 1 Rudi’s Bar will be hosting a day for family-focussed entertainment.
Visitors can also enjoy two exhibitions by Bristol-based artist Andi Burns Colwill, called Sketches & Stuff, at Artsite from Friday, August 30 to Sunday, September 8.
Artwork by Andi Burns Colwill, Photograph by Pearl Lucia Barcoe
Over the festival weekend, a Street Art Exhibition titled “BRICKS, DOTS + BLOCKS 2” will be held at Oink Gallery, Old Town and an exhibition by Wiltshire-based artist, Charlotte Abraham, will be held at Gustoso Bistro and Bar, Old Town.
“The 2023 Swindon Paint Fest was my first taste of murals and live painting,” said Charlotte. “It was such a fantastic experience, and so much so that I’m coming back for more!”
Founded by Artsite, the festival builds on the success of the previous two years of the festival in the town that was once the mural capital of England.
Back in the 1980s, Swindon boasted 40 large murals. Today only two remain – Ken White’s Golden Lion Bridge in Fleming Way from 1976 and the Arkell’s Brewery-commissioned piece in County Road, painted by Sarah Faulkner in 1986.
But the recent legacy left by Paint Fest means the number of murals is growing again.
A full programme of events can be found at https://swindonpaintfest.weebly.com
Main pic: Artwork by Vane MG
