Swindon Town Centre Mural starts as artists get the green light

Work began today on Swindon’s town centre mural at Regent Close, beside the Wyvern Theatre. The location of mural was moved in June, following news that Swindon Borough Council made progress in selling the development site at Aspen House, the mural’s initial temporary home.

inSwindon BID and Swindon Borough Council have worked together to find an alternative location for the mural. Final decisions were made yesterday afternoon following further discussions with the Wyvern Theatre. The artists were given the green light to start work immediately to ensure the project falls in line with the artists’ schedules.

Swindon-born, Martin Travers, is an artist who has been living in the Netherlands. Hearing of the concept, he agreed to travel to mentor local artist Peter Crowdy for the project but was always on a tight schedule with Martin due to fly back to the Netherlands. This is a community-led project where they’ve engaged with local residents on their ideas for the ‘My town, My world’ concept and was important for both artists to see through to the end.

Di Powell, inSwindon BID CEO, commented: “The mural is a popular concept for the town centre. The support we’ve received to make it happen is a credit to the town. Collaboration between Swindon Borough Council, Artsite, the artists, and everyone involved, has led to the mural continuing on time, despite its alternative location.

“The project wouldn’t have happened without the support of businesses in the town centre. The Brunel has kindly donated the paint and materials for the project and Bower and Bailey on Regent Circus has made a financial investment to support community projects for the town centre. We’re excited to be revealing the final masterpiece this weekend.”

Rob Faulkner, site facilities manager for The Brunel Shopping Centre and Chair of the inSwindon BID Working Group ‘Clean and Well-Maintained’ said this about the project. “Community projects in the town centre help to raise its profile and improve the perception of the town. We recognise that we need to work together as a community to support these projects and were delighted to support it by providing the materials and paint for the new town centre mural.”

Councillor Dale Heenan, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for the Town Centre, said: “This mural is the brainchild of Artsite and paid for by businesses, through inSwindon BID. It’s something a little different for our town and brings character to the cultural area around the Wyvern Theatre, and Library. Their efforts should be welcomed by all residents, and I hope the Council can continue to facilitate more ideas like this in the future.”

If you’d like more information on the mural, please contact Rachael Youd on 01793 485 523.