COLOURFUL murals are being painted on hoardings around one of Swindon's most iconic buildings.
Artists are busy working on eye-catching displays for the old Mechanic's Institute. Passers-by stopped in their tracks to admire the stunning works-in-progress which should be finished by the end of this month.
The six pieces each reflect a theme that celebrates the area - the canal, the Mechanics, the Railway Works, life in the Railway Village, the future, and health and wellbeing.
Sally Taylor of Artsite has spent six months organising the project with Karen Phimister of Swindon Borough Council's Heritage Action Zone scheme.
She said: "We've been trying to regenerate the town centre through art with projects like this, and there's more on the way!
"There will be a beautiful illustrated map of the area as well, with bits hinting at the town's history. We're having a heritage open weekend on September 10 and 11 then starting a Kimmerfields project in October."
Artists Paul Exton, Tim Carrol, Sean (aka Zer0-g) , Hannah Dosanjh, Max Dawkins, and Caryn Koh are working on their own pieces, along with Kate Parsons, Sue Bardwell, Hannah Parry, Casey Hillier, who have worked with the town's schools to make this collaborative creation.
Funding for the project came from the Government's Towns Fund which Swindon Borough Council successfully applied for, and from Heritage England.
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