OLD TOWN visitors can look forward to tasting stunning new art over the next month.

Dozens of paintings, sculptures and other art works have been squirrelled away in 17 cafés, restaurants, shops and businesses across Old Town.

The works have been displayed as part of the Old Town Art Trail – set up by the organisers of Swindon Open Studios.

Linda Kasmaty, one of those behind the festival of Swindon artists’ work, said of the trail: “It’s a great taster for the Swindon Open Studios.

“If people come along and like the look of an artist’s work, they can go and see more of their work and meet that person face-to-face a few weeks later.”

This is the third year the trail has been running. Like last year, organisers are putting on a guided walking tour of all the venues next Tuesday.

Meeting outside the Swindon Museum and Art Gallery at 5pm, the group will visit all 17 of the cafés and businesses hosting artists’ work. The tour will end at The Beehive pub.

“All the artists taking part in the trail will be there,” said Linda. “It’s a really nice get together and I think it’ll be quite an interesting evening.

“Everybody is welcome on the tour.”

Among the artists exhibiting in the Old Town Art Trail are Ruth Wintle. Her art will hang in The Beehive for the duration of the trail.

Ruth, 64, paints to the sound of jazz music and uplifting dance beats from Ministry of Sound. She said: “I get a huge amount of pleasure from putting paint to canvas.

“In my studio I’ve got a fantastic view overlooking other people’s gardens. It’s very messy, but I know exactly where everything is.”

The Old Town Art Trail runs from Monday August 21 to Monday September 18. For a full list of participating businesses, visit: www.swindonopenstudios.org.uk.

A free guided trail of the venues will set off from outside the Swindon Museum and Art Gallery at 5pm on Tuesday August 29.

Swindon Open Studios runs over two weekends in September. For more, visit: www.swindonopenstudios.org.uk.