
Culture Swindon hosts a number of free exhibitions at both the Swindon Museum and Art Gallery and Swindon Arts Centre, both in Old Town. Why not pop in and have a look?
The Lure of Water
Swindon's remarkable art collection now has a reputation as one of the best of British 20th Century Art outside of London and a new exhibition is now on display. The Lure of Water features work from the Swindon collection of modern art with artists such as John Piper, Alfred Wallis and John Nash and guest artist Emma Stibbon.
The Lure of Water has been on display since July and has already attracted more than 3,000 visitors to the exhibition, and people have visited from as far away as Canada and the USA.
We have had some great feedback with people saying it is fascinating, enjoyable, inspiring and that they could almost smell the sea.
The exhibition shows a range of approaches to the depiction of water. Claude Francis Barry adopts a neo-Impressionist style. Edward Wadsworths sharp realism delineates objects associated with the sea. Mary Fedden gives a colourful abstract interpretation of a bend in the river Thames at Durham Wharf.
Many of the artists contrast the play of light on water with the solid structures of ships, harbours and land masses. All demonstrate a fascination with the most fluid aspect of landscape, water.
Water in its many forms has a physical presence. It can be touched, tasted, seen and heard. It is also the stuff of imagination. It can be used as a screen onto which to project feelings associated with cool contemplative waters of a slowing moving river in northern France or tempestuous waves crashing on rocks at a reef off St Ives.
John Piper highlights the drama of a waterfalls steep descent to the foot of a Welsh mountain. John Nash hints at the comfort of ships at rest in harbour. Guest artist Emma Stibbon touches on the relationship between sheer mountains, deep gorges and vast glacial seas.
The exhibition if free to look around and on display at the Swindon Museum & Art Gallery, Bath Road, Swindon.
Illustrate Your Point 2010
An Exhibition of poetry and art!

Illustrate Your Point 2010 is an exciting, fascinating, and special collaboration between 13 artists, members of Artsite; and 13 writers, members of BlueGate Poets.
They have worked together in pairs, to produce art inspired by poetry and poems inspired by art for the 17th Swindon Festival of Literature.
IYP is a opportunity for a select group of artists and poets to transmit their ideas and themselves, communicating both what they see, and what they do not.
The works will not be in accordance with any recurrent themes, movements or styles - instead they are created with the utmost emphasis put on the individual quality and beauty of each piece to allow the viewer to appreciate each work as a single entity.
The exhibition will incorporate some of the finest contemporary painting, sculpture, textile art, drawing and poetry that Swindon has to offer.
Most importantly, Illustrate Your Point 2010 aims to provide an enjoyable and inspiring experience for all who pass through the Arts Centre doors. This is achieved through the great diversity of works and artists exhibited, and their exceptional quality appealing to all tastes and dispositions.
Presented in association with Artsite, BlueGate Poets, Artswords, and the Swindon Festival of Literature.
Where: Swindon Arts Centre
Price: Free
Swindon Museum and Art Gallery
Price: Free
Opening Times
| Day |
Opening Times |
| Monday to Saturday |
10.00am-5.00pm |
| Sunday |
Closed |
| Bank Holidays |
Closed |
Disabled/Special Needs Access
There is a dedicated parking bay and ramp access to the ground floor of the museum. The Museum and Art Gallery is spread over several floors so please contact museum staff for full access details.
Contact
Barbara Dixon
Manager
Swindon Museum and Art Gallery
Bath Road
Swindon
SN1 4BA
E-mail: bdixon@swindon.gov.uk
Telephone: 01793 466556.
Arts Centre Gallery
The Arts Centre has a lovely exhibition area. When you come and see a show why not have a look round? Or pop in one lunchtime.

Swindon Does Arts website (www.swindondoesarts.co.uk)