News
A family art project designed to brighten up the site of Swindon's old police station is to be unveiled on Friday 21st April at 12 noon.
Students from Commonweal School in Swindon, their parents, grandparents, and artist David Marlow created the art as part of a scheme, intended to provide families with an opportunity to spend quality time together – Family Sundays.
The hoardings that surround the site of Swindon police station, which was bought in 2005 by the South West Regional Development Agency and demolished earlier this year, provide the perfect canvas for the artwork.
The artwork depicts Swindon's culture through the ages, so "Family Sundays", which brought three generations together, was an ideal opportunity to capture different views of the town. The people taking part contributed pictures, photographs and poems that express their feelings about Swindon.
Peter James, Chief Executive at The New Swindon Company said, "We are delighted that local people have come together to create such vibrant visual images of Swindon – and on such a grand scale. The work features memories of Swindon but it also represents the future of the town. Behind these hoardings is a space that will become exciting new buildings and will contribute to the regeneration of Swindon Town Centre."
Steve Richards, Wiltshire & Swindon Head of Operations at the South West RDA, said: "It is a time of change for the people of Swindon and this project is an excellent way of representing this."
The artist in charge of the project David Marlow said, "It was a pleasure to work on this scheme as it brought generations of Swindon families together at a time when fast paced lifestyles prevent families from spending quality time together. This artwork represents people's feelings about Swindon's past, present and future."
The idea for Family Sundays was created by Josie Williams, The Commonweal School's Community Arts Development Officer, who said: "Family Sundays really brought the generations together and everyone who took part in this project can be thoroughly proud of what has been achieved. The finished product is excellent and I can't wait to see it in place."
Craig Bassett, aged 12, a pupil from Commonweal school who worked on the project said: "Every time I see the art I will remember the day I spent with Dad and Granddad working on it, it will be really exciting to see our work up in public for everyone to enjoy."
The project, which will surround the former police, was funded by the South West RDA and supported by the New Swindon Company and Swindon Borough Council's Art Service.
The site is in a prominent location on Fleming Way and links The Promenade with The Exchange, two of the major regeneration project areas for the town centre. The New Swindon Company is currently looking for a partner to develop The Exchange.
Friday 21st April 2006