ASPIRING artists got to show off their blooming brush strokes during an event in Old Town this week.

On Thursday, the Swindon Museum and Art Gallery hosted a workshop entitled Even Smaller Things, with young people drawing inspiration from the venue’s modern art exhibition and producing their own mini masterpieces.

Sophie Cummings, curator, said the event was a hit among visitors, and was part of a successful series of half-term activities.

“It was a really successful day,” she said.

“We have been busy all week over half term. We also saw around 135 people pass through the museum during the day.

“But yesterday the children were creating mini masterpieces, tiny drawings inspired by the paintings in our cureent modern art exhibition.”

The exhibition, entitled Present Tense: Contemporary British Paint-ing and Photography From The Swindon Collection, runs until Satur-day, April 18, and includes work by Lisa Milroy, Steven Pippin, Magnus Quaife, Jefferey Camp and Robert Priseman.

It aims to challenge the idea that contemporary art is elitist or incomprehensible, with Sophie saying it had been well received.

And she said people were welcome to drop in at the venue for more activities throughout the year.

“We always have the quiz trails and things going on so there is always something to do,” she said.

Entry to the museum, which is open from 11am until 3pm, Wednesday to Saturday, and from 10am during the school holidays, is free.

For more information on exhibitions and activities on offer, log on to the museum and art gallery’s website at www.swindon.gov.uk/museumandartgallery.