Swindon's Podpadstudios and Zozo Thomas are inviting visitors to dust off their picnic hampers and pack their rugs because the August Open Studios has a Garden Party theme.
Anna Enright from Podpadstudios said: “We will be showcasing three new guest artists: wood carver David Boase and painters Deepti Arora and Carolyn Brown.
"Light refreshments are available; however, guests are invited to bring their own picnics and join us for an afternoon of fun and creativity on Friday 21 August 2026 from 2-7pm. Croquet is optional!”
Local artist Deepti Arora, who will be exhibiting her vibrant paintings, said: “My work is playful, textured, and deeply rooted in originality and sustainability.
"I work with acrylics, wooden hangings, and mixed media, and I’m best known for my signature use of pistachio shells.
"Each piece I create is one of a kind, shaped by my love of colour, nature, and storytelling, and influenced by my cultural heritage and lived experiences.
Visitors will be able to try their hand at pastel techniques with Carolyn Brown. This local artist is mainly interested in the world around her, trying to capture the changing seasons.
Her first love is pastel but she also works in watercolour and charcoal.
A brand new beautiful colourful piece of wall art by Komic will also be on display.
David Boase, who will be bringing his latest carvings, said: ”I’ve spent the last couple of months reflecting on the circle. Carving nothing but circles in fact."
Visitors are invited to come along and see his beautifully simple and highly textural work, meet the artist, find out all about his process, tools, and the joys of wood carving.
Author and illustrator Zozo Thomas, whose children’s activity books are inspired by the garden, will be in the potting shed with her books and crafts.
Guests can indulge in some craft activities fit for a garden party: make a summer hat or a dried flower arrangement.
Master Maker and Mrs Breaker, otherwise known as Mark and Anna Enright from Podpadstudios, will be displaying props and robots as usual.
They will also be keeping an eye on the animatronic dragons, Stardust and Steel. Guests will be able to win a signed print of the dragons by answering the question: “How many scales did it take to make the dragons?”
The venue is at 225 Whitworth Road, Swindon SN25 3BX.
Entrance to the open studios is free, but donations towards the upkeep of the garden will be gratefully accepted.
There will also be a wide range of gifts and artwork available for sale. Booking is recommended so that the organisers can get an idea of numbers.
There is limited, disabled-only parking on site, so visitors are encouraged to walk, come by public transport, or park considerately locally and walk to the venue.
Booking can be arranged via https://thomzodesigns.co.uk/product/21st-aug
Podpadstudios makes creations for film, TV and exhibitions and has a considerable catalogue of props for hire. It is a family business based in Swindon, run by husband and wife team Anna and Mark Enright, who share a passion for prop making.
Both directors have alter egos; people can catch up with Master Maker and Mrs Breaker on their YouTube Channel, and the two have over a million views across their social media platforms.
More information can be found at https://www.podpadstudios.com
More information about Zozo Thomas and her work can be found at https://thomzodesigns.co.uk/
The popular Swindon Open Studios event is run entirely by volunteers. Artists all over Swindon open their studios or exhibit at other venues during the last two weekends of September. The Swindon Open Studios website is https://www.swindonopenstudios.org/
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