Paint Fest returns to Swindon this weekend for its second year and promises to be bigger and better than its debut.

The townwide festival first started in October 2022 and was organised in the space of just six weeks with local artists coming together to celebrate art in the town.

Now one year on, the event has grown substantially and will take place from Saturday, September 2, to Sunday, September 3.

Co-founder and organiser of the Paint Fest Helen Salter believes the initiative will help the town in several ways, using the art as a force for good.

Swindon Advertiser: Helen (second in from the left) and fellow organiser Caryn Koh (left) with some of the artists.Helen (second in from the left) and fellow organiser Caryn Koh (left) with some of the artists. (Image: Helen Salter)

“I feel that we have achieved a lot in the space of just one year and we are now focusing more on specific areas for a long term plan,” she said.

“We want to regenerate and improve mindset wellbeing as well as linking community areas together through art.

“Once you give the gift of a mural it gives the ripple effect to make people aware of what is around the mural.

“This creates regeneration in itself so the art can help the area.”

Swindon Advertiser: One of the town's murals by Jaksta Art.One of the town's murals by Jaksta Art. (Image: Helen Salter)

Helen believes that the divide between Old Town and new town can be lessened with the prominence of art across Swindon.

“It is really important to us to link the new and the old town areas together,” said Helen.

“Swindon has had a rich history of painting murals for over 40 years now and we want to keep that up and build on it in new ways.”

Throughout the weekend there will be art and other linked events occurring across the whole town which families can get involved in.

Swindon Advertiser: Harriet Wood painted this huge mural in the town centre last month.Harriet Wood painted this huge mural in the town centre last month. (Image: Newsquest)

The Art Site at Theatre Square will be the event’s main hub on both Saturday and Sunday with an exhibition including live painting, dancing and DJs between 10am and 4pm on both days.

Elsewhere there will be live paintings of murals on Morley Street as well as Carfax Street while this will also extend to Old Town, just off Wood Street.

Helen added: “Paint Fest is a coming together to showcase artists’ skills as well as a celebration of the arts in general within our town.”

For a full list of the events and which artists will be present at the weekend and where they will be, you can view Swindon Paint Fest’s official programme here.