ARTISTS will be painting a picture of the art scene in the town at this year’s Swindon Open Studios.

Over two weekends, artists in the town and surrounding area will be welcoming visitors into their studios or showing their work in one of several venues.

More than 40 of the town’s most renowned artists, including Ken White and Fred Blunt, will have their work on display for all to see.

Art lovers will be able to see their work and talk to the artists about it, as well as having the opportunity to purchase the pieces.

It will not only be paintings on display, with textiles, drawings, sculpture, glass, ceramics, jewellery, computer graphics, photography and pastels all on offer.

Swindon Open Studios 2011 runs on the weekends of September, 10 and 11, and 17 and 18, at venues across the town including The Platform, Longcot, Arts Centre and the central library.

This is the fourth year chairman of the organising committee Linda Kasmaty will be involved in the event and she said it had improved year-on-year.

“This event is getting more popular every year and I am excited about this year,” she said.

“It is a rare opportunity when people get the chance to see inside artist’s studios and talk to the artists about their work.

“People say there isn’t anything going on in Swindon, but there are lots of things going on.

“This is a celebration of the artists and Swindon has lots who have a variety of work and some really good names.

“The artists enjoy it as well as the visitors because they get a response to their work.”

Media7 are a group of local artists and designers in the Swindon area who have come together to promote and display their artwork and services at the event, and can be seen at the Platform on both weekends.

They have all been following their passion for art and design in their spare time, but wanted to find a way of bringing their work to a wider audience.

They met on a course at New College, and Swindon Open Studios is giving them a real opportunity to put into practice what they have learned.

Media7 member, Jenny Newlyn, said: “We have loved meeting up and learning from each other.”

For details visit www.

swindonopen studios.org.uk or call 01793 527149.