A MEETING of creative minds at this year’s Swindon Festival of Literature has resulted in a £600 donation to Prospect Hospice.

Artists from Swindon Open Studios this year lent their talents to the literary festival by creating a series of miniatures which were displayed outside the Arts Centre’s auditorium. Celebrated artist Eileen Cooper – who currently has an exhibition on display at Swindon Museum and Art Gallery – also donated a piece to the collection.

Those attending the festival were then able to buy a ticket to be in with the chance of winning one of the 40 pieces donated, with ticket sales amassing £600 for the hospice.

Festival organiser Matt Holland said that in the past there had always been the traditional dash out of the auditorium to buy an author’s book and get it signed following a talk, but this year audiences had also made a beeline for the artwork as well.

He praised the efforts of the artists: “It’s great that such a coming together of people created such a creative presence while also raising money for this great cause.

“This is another example that Swindon has a bedrock of culture that goes across all art forms.”

Yesterday the artists and Mr Holland visited the hospice to present staff with their fundraising efforts.

Chairman of Swindon Open Studios Linda Kasmaty said they had been delighted with the success of the collaboration and would be keen to make a return to next year’s festival.