HUNDREDS of years of history were the inspiration for a group of Swindon College students today as part of The Big Draw as they created their own legacy of art.

The students swapped easels for pews as they set up studio in The Church of St Mary’s Lydiard Tregoze as part of the nationwide celebration of drawing, The Big Draw.

Under the supervision of art and design lecturers Joanna Billingham and Will Rounce as well as the chairman of St Marys Lydiard Tregoze Building and Conservation Appeal Paul Gardner, the nine students focused on aspects of the church’s architecture and its magnificent medieval paintings as they created their own pieces of art.

Embracing a theme of STEAM (science, technology, art, engineering and maths) the students each chose their own corner of the church and set to work to create their own masterpieces.

Joanna described the event as a big celebration bringing artists together from across the world. She said: “It is a really nice excuse to be absorbed in drawing for the month. And we all see different ways of incorporating the theme.

“We heard about the conservation project at the church and saw the amazing medieval wall paintings and the church’s artefacts and we thought it would be great to have a trip with the students. Not only so they could see these amazing things in the church themselves, but also to spend some time really looking.

“Because that’s what drawing forces you to do - to really look closely at things as though it were the first time you have seen them and become really absorbed. We are really lucky today with the light, and Paul has been telling us all about the history of the art in the church which has been really interesting.

“It is the perfect environment for drawing because it is peaceful and surrounded by wonderful history.”

Later this month Artise artists Sally Taylor, Sue Bardwell, Vicky Silver and Kate Dawson will host another Big Draw event a Swindon Museum and Art Gallery. The free family event to celebrate Swindon's history will be staged on Wednesday, October 26 from 11am until 2pm. Exploring the town’s motto of ‘Health and Wellbeing’ through the two paintings on the theme by Harold Dearden, the Artsite artists will create a large drawing which explores the life balance of work and leisure with the help of those attending.

For more information visit www.thebigdraw.org.