Public invited to 'put their mark' on new town centre mural

inSwindon BID is inviting Swindon's community to join two renowned artists as they create the design for a new town centre mural.

This week, inSwindon BID and Artsite announced the two artists who will be leading on a new town centre mural set for the Aspen House hoarding on Regent Street.

Over the next few weeks, artists Martin Travers and Peter Cowdy, will be reaching out to local community groups for input and their ideas into the ‘My Town, My World’ visual.

On Saturday 8 June, Artsite and SCAN, in partnership with inSwindon BID, will be hosting the first community workshop in The Parade between 10am and 4pm, where they’re inviting local residents to come and meet the artists, share ideas and be a part of this exciting mural project.

Artist, Sally Taylor, from Artsite, sits on the inSwindon BID Working Group for ‘Clean and Well-Maintained’, and suggested a mural concept to the group as part of the wider ‘Keep Swindon Town Centre Clean and Tidy’ campaign. Sally was approached by Swindon Climate Action Network (SCAN) - an independent group of volunteers from across Swindon who work on aspects of climate change and want to do something about - who proposed combining the initiatives which created the theme ‘My Town My World’ for the mural.

Ben Bell from SCAN said: “As plastic usage is ubiquitous, the solutions to it mean engaging all people including organisations, businesses and representatives. Together we can make a difference. And that is what this project about for us - it is about communicating positive messages around hope, community and sustainability through positive action, through creativity, through working together. We are looking forward to a positive day with the people of Swindon.”

As well as championing a positive message about the environment, organisers behind the project hope this is the first of many steps to come in reigniting community arts in Swindon. International artist, Martin Travers, will be taking the lead on the mural - mentoring local artist Peter Cowdy. Martin said: "I was born in Swindon and although I moved away and worked in many different places around the World, I have always been drawn back to visit family over the years.

"This is the first time I've been invited back to the here with my art and I look forward to re-connecting with the town and exploring what Swindon is today.  I believe strongly in representing the city I was born in and will be drawing inspiration from the diversity that makes the city unique.”

Peter added: "The opportunity to work with the community is always a pleasure and I am enjoying the inspiration from connecting with people and hearing what Swindon means to them.

"I am particularly happy to learn from and collaborate with Martin on this project as well as the chance to create something in an area of town where so many people pass through."