Final Swindon Big Dog Art Trail artists chosen

The Big Dog Art Trail has reached an exciting milestone as the final artists and their Swindog designs have been chosen.

At the end of last year more than 200 designs were shortlisted to 60 and now the final 30 designs have been chosen.

A pack of 30 Swindogs - larger than life balloon dog sculptures - are set to be unleashed across Swindon during the summer of 2023. 

The uniquely decorated sculptures will create the UK’s first-ever balloon dog art trail and will raise essential funds for local children’s hospice charity Julia’s House.

The final list includes artists from Swindon, and nearly a third are from the South West.  Among them are Judy and Morgan Guillery, a mum and son duo from Mouldon View in Swindon. 

Judy runs Judee Tree Art and has been involved in various art projects in Swindon. She likes to include typography in her art work along with a positive message.  

Her design is inspired by nature and growth, and she has named it Love Grows.  She also wanted her design to reflect her art journey, which began with family trees, hence Judee Tree Art. 

Judy hopes her sculpture will bring happiness to children when they discover it along the trail.  

Son Morgan, 12, had his design selected after entering a local competition for younger people, and will now paint it on one of the huge balloon dog sculptures. 

Morgan’s art already has a following on social media, and he worked with mum Judy on a mural for his primary school, St Mary’s in Swindon. 

Morgan has always been technically minded and enjoys tinkering with mechanisms. He often includes mechanical elements in his drawings, and Swindon’s steam heritage inspired his Steam Punk style design.

Judy said: “Morgan and I are both over the moon!  We’re so excited to be part of The Big Dog Art trail and so very grateful for this amazing opportunity.  

"I had hoped from the beginning to be a part of it, but to get to do it with my son is more than I could have imagined - what could be more special? 

"We can’t wait to work alongside the other artists and share this wonderful experience. We’re ready to put in the effort to make it really special and hopefully help Julia’s House with their amazing work."

Judy and Morgan will be painting their sculptures, side by side, in the studio space for artists at the GWR Carriage Works.

The super-sized Swindogs have been sponsored by local companies, and the sponsors attended a design selection event where the shortlisted designs were put on display and they had to choose a favourite design for their Swindog.

The National Self Build & Renovation Centre, one of the Swindog sponsors, hosted the design selection event with representatives from headline sponsor Imagine Cruising UK, Swindon Borough Council, the Swindon Advertiser, Beard, Intel, Nationwide Building Society, Bespoke Guardians Swindon Wildcats, Jazzbones Creative, Arval UK, Better Link Centre, Telenco and Persimmon Homes.

The event was also attended by Julia’s House Patron Annabel Karmel MBE, a sponsor who will be supporting the trail throughout the year, and Swindon artist Hannah Dosanjh, who designed the first Swindog.

The Swindog designs are being kept under wraps for now and they’ll be unveiled in the summer.

Martin Edwards, CEO of Julia’s House, said: “We would like to say congratulations to our final artists but also thank you to everyone who submitted a design.  

"The designs were superb so the sponsors had some difficult decisions to make. Now we have our final 30 designs we can really envisage how amazing the Swindogs will look around Swindon. 

"We’re so grateful for the support from our partners, sponsors, artists and everybody involved in bringing The Big Dog Art Trail to Swindon this summer - the event is going to make a life-changing difference to the local children and families we support.”

A handful of Swindogs looking for sponsorship.  Details can be found at www.bigdogarttrail.co.uk/sponsors