New Venues Added for Swindon Open Studios 2025.

It’s nearly time to celebrate Swindon’s colourful creativity with a fun day out for all the family! This is the 21^st year artists will welcome the public behind the scenes into their studios, workshops and homes to see their work during the last two weekends in September. This year, three new venues have been added because exhibitors are at different stages of their creative journey and not everyone has a dedicated workspace. The Wyvern Theatre will be open both Saturdays 20^th and 27th September, while STEAM: Museum of the Great Western Railway, and Great Moorleaze Farm near Wanborough, will only be open the first weekend; 20^th and 21^st September. 

Painting by John Webb

John Webb (RIP) used to work for Great Western Railways and recorded scenes in and around Swindon’s works. Railway enthusiasts will be pleased to see his paintings displayed in such an appropriate space as STEAM: Museum of the Great Western Railway. It is also an apt setting for Alex Crump because he loves and paints trains too. Alex is a well-established children’s book illustrator who says, “I usually work at home in a converted loft, but I can’t invite people up there because I have to climb up a rickety old ladder to reach it! I’m hugely grateful for the venues making exhibition space available!”

To date, Alex has illustrated 54 books using watercolours, charcoal, his iPad and a computer programme called ‘Procreate’. His best-known illustrations feature in “Dragon Air” whose author realised that every country has its own version of these strange, winged creatures. Another story Alex is proud to have illustrated is the best-seller “Niky Naky Noo” published last year.

Alex Crump, photo by David Chalke

As a bird-lover, Alex always wanted to see a Great Bustard which is featured on Wiltshire’s Coat of Arms. He posted an illustration of one on Facebook and the CEO of The Great Bustard Group invited him to visit and create some images that have been used on merchandise for the charity (with King Charles III as it’s patron). Downton Distillery commissioned Alex to paint one as the mascot for their new Great Bustard gin, which has won several global awards; more proof that Swindon can be very proud of the work of its’ artists, which is seen all over the world!

The beauty of this event is that you can plan several visits in a day. The website and brochure features bus routes https://simplebooklet.com/sos25brochure1#page=1 Or for the map, click https://www.swindonopenstudios.org/2025-map 

All kinds of arts and crafts are on show and this year about 40% of exhibitors are “first-timers”. Everyone is looking forward to conversations about art, stories behind each work, their inspiration, techniques and processes they use. Feedback on what people like is really encouraging and helps artists develop. Demonstrations and taster sessions are free but workshops may need to be booked in advance. If you visit artists in their own studios, the added bonus is seeing the chaos that often accompanies creativity! Who knows – you might even be inspired to pick up a paintbrush yourself or find a new hobby for the winter months!