Art lovers in Swindon have some real treats coming up in the shape of new exhibitions.

The Swindon Museum and Art Gallery has changed the old Victorian Gallery into a new and exciting exhibition called Made In Swindon.

Nicky Western from the museum said: “The gallery celebrates production and design in Swindon from the 19th century, and showcases the famous and creative people who have emerged from our town. It includes record players made by Garrard’s and the sign from McIlroys, the town’s grandest department store.’’

Local artists are featured in the new gallery including Diana Dors, Gilbert O’Sullivan, Ken White, Leslie Cole, Harold Dearden and Alfred Williams.

The museum has acquired paintings, prints and sketches from Ken White, under the umbrella of Creative Wiltshire, a five-year project which started in 2015 with the aim of gathering work by creative people from Swindon and the surrounding area.

Ken said: “Swindon has been the subject of my work for many years. Memories of working in the GWR have inspired my paintings, and the history of Swindon has featured in many of the town’s murals.’’

Next month the artists of Swindon will switch round from exhibiting in galleries to throwing open their own homes. The Swindon Open Studios is for art fans who like to discover what lies behind the picture, the back story of their favourite artist and their inspirations and aspirations.

For the first two weekends in September artists will welcome the public into their work space, John Maskalaniec will be in his garage at Abney Moor in Liden, Lynne Forrester will be painting in Bradenstoke Village Hall, Sharon Rich will be sculpting in her large garden overlooking the Uffington White Horse Hill in Faringdon and Old Town artist Caroline Day can be found in her studio, in Goddard Avenue.

For more details of all the artists involved in this year’s open studios visit www.swindonopenstudios.blogspot.com - Flicky Harrison