A vacant unit in Swindon’s town centre has been given a colourful new lease of life as part of this year’s Swindon Arts Fringe Festival.
The space at 19 Canal Walk, next to McDonald’s in The Brunel, has been transformed into a gallery showcasing work from artists taking part in the annual festival, which is now in its third year.
Organised by Artsite, the Swindon Arts Fringe Festival (SWAF) brings together artists, curators and local businesses, creating exhibition spaces across the town. This year’s programme features 15 exhibitions displaying more than 200 pieces of work, with themes ranging from sleep rituals and loss to interpretations of iconic Swindon locations.
All exhibitions are free to visit and run until 28 June.
The festival is organised by Artsite co-managers Sue Bardwell and Sally Taylor, alongside Lisa Lowe and Leah Panigada-Carey.
Sue said the Canal Walk venue had proved to be an ideal setting for the exhibition.
“The Brunel team have been incredible. They really get the vision of what we are doing,” she said.
“We hope it will bring something for everybody who is in and around the town centre. It is a great venue, super-accessible, all on ground level, with plenty of space.”
Alongside the Canal Walk exhibition, visitors can also take part in activities taking place at Artsite’s headquarters in Theatre Square and at the nearby Wyvern Theatre.
A spokesperson for The Brunel said the shopping centre was pleased to support the festival and provide a central location where residents could engage with local creativity.
The partnership offers a different use for a town centre retail unit and gives artists the opportunity to present their work to people who may not normally visit galleries or exhibition spaces.
With hundreds of artworks spread across multiple venues, organisers hope this year’s festival will continue to build on the success of previous events and encourage more people to explore Swindon’s growing arts scene.
Further information about the festival can be found on the Artsite website.
