Swindon’s Festival of Tomorrow gets boost from Arts Council England
Swindon’s Science Festival gets Arts Council Boost. Swindon’s successful Festival of Tomorrow will be back for its fourth year, after receiving a grant from the Arts Council of England. Thanks to the support, the festival will combine science and the arts. It’ll be teaming up with artists and Swindon arts organisations to find new ways to help people explore the science, technology and discoveries that will shape the future.
The festival, which takes place every February will include a dedicated programme for Swindon schools. Further there’ll be free half-term activities across town and a two-day hybrid event at The Deanery CE Academy in Wichelstowe on the 17th and 18th February.
Swindon’s Science Festival gets Arts Council Boost – rocket show by wonderstruck
Rod Hebden, Festival of Tomorrow Director said:
We’re delighted that Arts Council England are supporting Swindon, by getting behind the festival. The links between science, technology and the arts are greater than the divide between them. Scientists and innovators are naturally creative. And the arts provide a powerful lens to see the world and its possibilities in new ways.’
‘We’ve been proud to support the Festival of Tomorrow since it launched in 2020. So we’re pleased to see this recognition of its impact. Science, arts and culture are critical to the future of Swindon. Innovative and exciting programmes like the Festival of Tomorrow have the potential to drive economic growth and attract great employers and a skilled workforce to the town. So we’d encourage all Swindon to get behind it!’
Hush Hush!
Whilst organisers are keeping tight-lipped about what is in store next February, they’ll have a big job to top the events of the last year. 2021 saw mammoths, robotic dogs, climate scientists and rocket shows for Swindon families to explore.
Participating organisations include:
Swindon-based UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
The UK Space Agency
The James Dyson Foundation
The Science Museum Group and several leading universities will be supporting the festival yet again.
There’ll be hands-on science, talks, shows and workshops to give people of all ages and backgrounds the chance to share in the latest discoveries and technologies. Things that will help shape our future.
Roll up, Roll up!
To be the first in line for tickets and to hear the latest announcements, sign up for updates by visiting www.festivaloftomorrow.com
Swindon Artists Inspired by Nature – A New Exhibition Opens In Town Centre
Nature Inspires Swindon Artists: Nine artists from Swindon’s Artsite and The Post Modern collective are presenting a collection of new works. The exhibition, on the theme of Biophilia, opens on Tuesday 8th November at Swindon Hub.
Nature Inspires Swindon Artists
Biophilia is the ‘affinity of human beings with the natural world’. A love for nature has influenced designers, creators and artists around the world. The show at Swindon Hub, organised by Hub volunteer Josie Slade, is the first group show in the south west to explore the theme.
‘Nature is such an important inspiration to artists. So it made sense to curate a show on the subject’ says Slade. ‘Artsite has been great to work with on previous shows. They’re super excited to partner with us on this new project.’
When can you see it?
The show will be open during Hub opening times. That’s Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm – until Friday 9th December, and is free to view.
‘Involving local artists and providing an accessible place for everyone to show and appreciate great local art is one of the big reasons the Hub exists’, Slade added.
Sally Taylor, one of the contributors to the Biophila show and coordinator at Artsite, says that the variety of artworks is sure to surprise people. ‘The creative muse leads each of us in unique directions,’ says Taylor. ‘Our show won’t just be pictures of flowers and landscapes,’ she added.
In April 2023 there’ll be a follow-on show Biophilia 2. In that one local wildlife charities and organisations will be bringing art, discussions and workshops to get people involved and talking about nature in Swindon.
Swindon Hub
You’ll find Swindon Hub in the former River Island building in Swindon town centre. Swindon Hub offers: 1. a welcoming café 2. retail stands for local crafters 3. a community arts space and areas for meetings and events.
The Hub and gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm. Entry is free and everyone is welcome – find out more at www.swindonhub.org.uk
Local collectors invited to share artwork as Living Memory Project celebrates Malmesbury artists
Living Memory Project Celebrates Artists – Local art collectors are being encouraged to share their artwork at a ‘show and tell’ event in Malmesbury this Saturday. The event forms part of the In Living Memory project. This project celebrates artists who’ve lived and produced artwork in the town and its surrounding area, from the 1940s to the present day.
Susan Mockler – Living Memory Project Celebrates Artists
Aims of the project
Its aim is to capture the stories of the many artists and makers who contributed to the town’s cultural life. And who, further, have offered inspiration to successive generations. An exhibition is currently at the town hall’s John Bowen Gallery. It draws on the private collections of David Hendry and Alice Langtree. The exhibition features work by artists such as:
Julian Barrow
Brian Neal
Gerald Cox
Roy Hewish
Jehanne le Quesne
All works in this exhibition are for sale by silent auction. All proceeds will go towards the larger project goals and other charitable causes.
A wider project
The 5th November event is an integral part of the wider project. It’s taking place in the Rausing Building and admission is free. Local people have an invitation to bring artworks from their homes and to share stories about the artists and how they came to own the work.
David and Karen Drake are hosting the event. Karen and David are from Caerbladon, the initiators of the project in conjunction with Dave Witt and Janet Cassleden from the Athelstan museum. The event will be open to the public from 10am – 4pm.
Karen and David Drake, said: ‘As a community interest company committed to supporting artists and individual creativity, we offer opportunities for artists from across Wiltshire and Gloucestershire to display and sell their work. For this exhibition, part of a larger project, we want to celebrate artists active in the 1970s, 80s and 90s. And the colourful stories about their lives and their contribution to the vibrancy of the town.’
Susan Mockler, vice-chair of the Athelstan Museum said: ‘The museum is so thrilled to be a partner in this project promoting art and artists from the local area. Art is important in the community and both art works and artists deserve wider recognition . This collaboration will ensure greater exposure. That in turn will provide greater understanding and enjoyment of the wonderful artwork in the community and in the museum.’
Proving popular
Interest in the ‘show and tell’ event has been high. There’s a wide variety of art expected on the day, including:
Painting
Sculpture
Ceramics
Printmaking
Textile arts
Mixed-media
Glass
Silversmiths and …
… illustrators
After the event
Post-event, there are plans for a publication, an exhibition and a series of talks next year. All will celebrate artists and makers from the Malmesbury area in the post-war years.
The Athelstan Museum is especially proud of its art collection. In particular its own Turner, showing an aspect of Malmesbury Abbey.
Thanks to support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Art Fund and local Wiltshire donors the Athelstan Museum was able to buy the original watercolour for the community.
Swindon Paint Fest 2022. Exciting news listeners! Later this month Swindon is getting a street art paint fest! And of course, I’m away that weekend aren’t I? Gah! Never mind – I’ll get a tour of all the murals when I return.
Happening over the 15th & 16th October, Swindon’s first street art festival, Swindon Paint Fest is organised by artists Caryn Koh, Sally Taylor and local Organiser Helen Salter on behalf ofArtsite, an artist led self-funded charity, in partnership with Inswindon BID.
Its purpose is to celebrate and initiate more murals and street art into the town centre as part of its regeneration.
In the event, there’ll be around 50 artists doing various live paintings and permanent murals in and around Swindon town centre and leading into the district of Rodbourne. There will also be exhibitions, workshops, a popup shop and an artist sharing session hosted by Artsite and The Swindon Hub.
Swindon Paint Fest 2022
What’s occurring, where and when
Artsite, Theatre Square
Oct 14th 6-9pm
The opening of the exhibition and launch of the Paint Pest plus light refreshments. During the weekend, they’ll also be holding an interactive experimental drawing workshop where it’s open and free to the public to come by the gallery and experience
Queen’s Street
Martin Travers is from Swindon and has since lived and worked in many different countries painting murals and collaborating on community arts projects. He’ll be painting a large scale mural on the wall.
Wharf Green, town centre
Six artists painting live and they are Lost Dogs, INCA_THEMOLE, Jenna Fox, Tim Carroll,Peter Cowdy and the Hass.
Corporation Street
Murals painted alongside
hoardings outside the new Swindon Town Centre Premier Inn
An art jam of Read And Weep Crew and various artists
Artsite, Theatre Square
Oct 15th -21st
A duo exhibition in by local artists Paul Exton and Dayna Baxter with the title of their show “More Shock of the New” showcasing their signature abstract styles in producing bold bright colours, shapes & geometry in their work
Top floor of Swindon Hub
A group exhibition held on the showcasing works of some of our featured artists of the festival. Concurrently, there will be a video exhibition to highlight the history and evolvement of street art in Swindon.
Ground floor of Swindon Hub
A pop up shop from Trinity Collective in the, a tattoo studio and art shop that will be selling some art supplies, street art merchandise, art prints and art works.
Swindon Hub
Swindon Hub Oct 15th 2pm – an artist sharing session with Ken White,also held in for the panels and community to initiate conversations on the improvements that public art can do for the town.
Swindon paint fest 2022 launch night
Other stuff!
There’s going to be an Art Trail map published leading up the event so you can find out where each event is happening and to see your favourite artists at work.
There’s a go fund me page to contribute towards materials needed with the various walls and sites being painted. Any amount will be greatly appreciated.https://gofund.me/4cb6a81c.
Wow! Six! The Tudor Musical – what can I say? History wasn’t like this when I did my GCE ‘O’ Level. Yes I am that old. But then my ‘O’ Level history course was social and economic so it was all Enclosures, Jethro Tull’s seed drill and Bessemer’s converter rather than kings and queens of England and Scotland. Well, it’s safe to say that my erstwhile sketchy knowledge of Henry VIII’s six wives has now had the gaps filled in!
Divorced
Beheaded
Died
Divorced
Beheaded
Survived
I never could remember which one suffered which fate. But I’ve got it firmly fixed now thanks to this high-octane, girl-powered romp through Tudor history.
Six! The Tudor Musical
Caveat
I’m honour bound now to point out the currentrun of this show at the Wyvern theatre is sold out . BUT – if you’re wondering then what the point of this blog might be – there’s a chance it’ll come back! So – if you aren’t familiar with it, read on – ‘cos then you’ll know for future reference. I only had half an idea of what it was all about myself.
What’s it all about then?
Well – the six wives of Henry VIII – #Obvs
Using the conceit of the wives performing a pop concert, they tell the audience that the position of leader of their band will be the prize for whichever of the six queens had the worst experience of being wed to Henry VIII. Thus they get to tell herstory rather than history.
In telling their stories, the queens come to see how they’ve been robbed of their individuality. They’re known only as the queen that was beheaded, or the queen that outlived Henry – rather than the women that they were. Having figured that one out they come together as a group rather than as solo artists.
The show also explores ideas of female beauty via the House of Holbein where they parody a dating app and refer to profile pictures – a reference to the Holbein portrait of Anne of Cleves that persuaded Henry to agree to wed her.
All of which is interesting enough but does nothing to convey what tremendous fun this show is. The costumes are simply fabulous as were the performances. The whole concept is so original. It’s exciting and full of energy and ultimately it’s uplifting. I’ll resist making comments about it being worth losing your head over as it’s been done already. But …. it really is!
Not for nothing has this show made the transition from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to the West End and Broadway. So – when you DO get the chance to see it – sadly not on this run – grasp it. I’d love to see it again!
