Swindon Viewpoint films the Swindon Open Studios 2009

Ana Kelly and Martin Parry from Swindon Viewpoint came along to make films about the Swindon Open Studios 2009. You can see the result on the Swindon Viewpoint web site.

• Artpoint - Swindon Open Studios


• Artpoint - Ken White


• Artpoint - Vanetta Joffe

They talk about Swindon Open Studios - Part 3

Swindon Advertiser newspaper published on Wednesday 16 September 2009 an article title "Artists throw open doors"

Swindon Advertiser article - page 1

Swindon Advertiser article - page 2

In the article, Phyllidia Richards, senior supervisor at TWIGS (that provides space where people with mental illness can use their creativity) tells how their participation was enjoyable and important: "Not only does the exhibition help lift the stigma surrounding mental illness but it also helps our clients take important steps forward in their lives."


The article also mentioned that during Swindon Open Studios 2009, the Central Library where 8 artists were exhibiting had its highest number of visitors for a Sunday since it opened... A very concrete sign of the success of the event.

They talk about SOS - Part 2

Katherine Tyrrell, artist and author of the blog “making a Mark”, in her post titled 13th September 2009 - Who's made a mark this week? invited her readers to visit the Swindon Open Studios. Katherine has a huge following which is justified by the high quality of the content of her blog. This is a definite resource for artists and art lovers alike.

Visit Making a Mark

Maggie Harris invited people to visit the Swindon Open Studios on her blog Stitching with Schnauzer and Siamese. Maggie works with mixed media images, enjoys digital and traditional media that and uses both in her work. She commented about her visit to SOS 2009: “Had an interesting afternoon in Town today, which is quite an unusual event these days.”

Visit Stitching with Schnauzer and Siamese

Meet the organisers of the Swindon Open Studios 2009

Putting together an event like an open studios takes time and efforts, which is not something you realise until you become part of the organising team.


Swindon Open Studios 2009 is almost there, on the 12th and 13th of September. Its preparation started almost one year ago.

From left to right: Mike Pringle, Bea Menier, Linda Kasmaty and Benoit Philippe

Mike Pringle is the Director of the Swindon Cultural Partnership. He is an artist and a published illustrator.



Bea Menier is one of the artists taking part into this year's open studios. You can learn more about Bea by reading her interview.


Linda Kasmaty is an art enthusiast. She has been helping organising previous Swindon Open Studios.


Benoit Philippe is an artist taking part in this year Swindon Open Studios. You can see Benoit's paintings on his website and on his blog, My French Easel.

They talk about the Swindon Open Studios 2009

In case you missed it, LINK Magazine published an article titled “Swindon Open Studios 2009 put Swindon on the Arts map” announcing the coming Open Studios week-end.

Sharon Rich also wrote an article which has been published in Farington Folly.

Swindon Open Studios on the Big Screen

Great news! A short video will be played on the Swindon Big Screen to promote the coming Swindon Open Studios 2009.

The slideshow will be on the Big Screen in Town Centre from Saturday 22 August. You can catch it during the dedicated local films slot between 6 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. on Wednesdays and between 12:30 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. on Fridays.

If you can't wait to see it, this trailer is also posted on YouTube.




WARNING: this video contains some nice music. Put your headset if you are in the office.

If the embedded video does not work, follow the link to the SOS 2009 trailer on YouTube.

An interview with Sue Dickinson

Q – Could you introduce yourself briefly to the readers?

My name is Sue Dickinson, I’m originally from Plymouth, but have been living and working in Swindon for the past 9 years

Q - How did you become interested in art?

My interest in art came from taking an evening class in ceramics run by Swindon College, I enjoyed it so much, I then did a years access course followed by a 2 year HND in ceramics

Q - What inspires you most as an artist?

What inspires me most as an artist is the sea, pebbles and washed up articles found on the shoreline. I also love it when people praise my work-don’t we all!

Q - What is your favourite medium or media? Why?

My current favourite medium is clay especially porcelain slip (liquid clay) and crank clay-both have such different textures and qualities

Q - Could you tell us some more about your work?

I create pendants that are very tactile, like washed up shiny pebbles on the beach. As a sideline, I’ve just started producing small ornamental cats-I love cats and have made a few in the past for friends

Jewellery by Sue Dickinson

Q - How would you define your style?

Each piece of my jewellery is hand crafted, so each piece is unique.

Q - What are your influences; artists from the past or present who inspire you?

A few of my favourite ceramicists who are influencing my work include Paul Jackson, Nicky May and Charlotte Jones who are all from the present day

Q - How do you choose the subjects of your works?

From being influenced by the elements and the weather-the sea can be all different colours and take on so many shapes depending on the weather

Q- How do you prepare yourself for an exhibition or a show like the Open Studios?

I am preparing for open studio by producing as much as I can beforehand! I have a shared studio space at Wagon Yard in Marlborough, which I share with 3 other potters and we all give each other a lot of support and encouragement when it comes to exhibitions!


Q- Did you take part in the Swindon Open Studios in the past?

This is my first open studio

Q - Are there territories (media, subjects, etc.) you want to explore in the coming years?

I’d like to do more with textiles and somehow use textiles and ceramics together-but that’s a long way off!

Q - As an artist, what would be your dream?

To run my own shop in Devon/Cornwall where every article I made got sold!

Q - Could you share one thing that you have learnt in your own art practice that would be useful to other artists?

Keep at it and believe in your dreams!

Promoting Swindon Open Studios 2009

Our goal is to bring as many people to this event as possible and to have as many local artists as possible taking part. So far, Swindon Open Studios 2009 is listed on the following sites:

Information Britain

Swindon Link Magazine

ArtEvent

Wiltshire Web

Thank you to all these sites for spreading the word.