BIG DOG ART TRAIL
The Swindogs are soon to be unleashed … Are you ready to go walkies ?
We ’ re in for a treat this summer as the UK ’ s first-ever balloon dog art trail comes to Swindon , raising essential funds for local children ’ s hospice charity , Julia ’ s House .
In total , 30 supersized Swindogs and 42 smaller Swinpup sculptures will be placed around Swindon , covering 16 miles between them .
The free-to-access event is being brought to town from Saturday 15th July to Sunday 3rd September by global art producer Wild in Art in partnership with Julia ’ s House . It is hoped the uniquely decorated Swindogs will raise thousands of pounds at auction for the charity which looks after the most seriously ill children and their families in Swindon and across the county .
Chris Hyde , Project Manager for The Big Dog Art Trail , said , “ We have tried to really showcase Swindon and the fantastic areas it has with this trail .
“ From the variety of stunning public parks , to heritage sites including the railway works , to areas of significance for local communities .
“ This trail is something Swindon should be proud of and will enable not only people visiting the area to discover new parts of the town , but also residents to go out and explore what is on their own doorsteps .”
As well as the 30 Swindog sculptures , there will also be 42 miniature Swinpup sculptures as part of the trail ’ s Learning Programme .
The Swindogs are sponsored by businesses and individuals , the giant artworks will be located at :
• Lydiard Park
• The Link Centre
• McArthurGlen Designer Outlet
• STEAM Museum
• GWR Park
• Pinetrees Community Centre
• Broadgreeen Community Centre
• Swindon Town Football Club
• Nationwide ’ s Oakfield Development
• St Marks Park
• Albert Street , Old Town
• Old Town Gardens
• Queens Park
• Old Town Library & Arts Centre
• Swindon Train Station
• Swindon Council Office
• Wyvern Theatre
• The Parade
The 80 centimetre high Swinpups will be located in small packs at :
• North Swindon Library
• Central Library
• West Swindon Library
• Pinetrees Community Centre
• The Wyvern Theatre
• The McArthurGlen Designer Outlet
Ahead of the opening weekend of the trail , there will be physical maps available for a small donation going to Julia ’ s House and a special trail app , where you can collect the sculptures , redeem awards and find out more about their artists and the companies sponsoring them .
There are just two Swindogs now left to sponsor . To find out how to beome a trail sponsor or to sign up for the Big Woof newsletter , visit :
www . bigdogarttrail . co . uk
Meet the Artists
Artists from across the UK submitted more than 200 fantastic Swindog designs for The Big Dog Art Trail , but there could only be 30 selected . The final list includes artists from Swindon and nearly a third are from the South West area . Here we profile just a few of the local artists who submitted pawsome designs .
Hannah Dosanjh
Hannah Dosanjh works from her studio just outside Swindon where she creates vibrant paintings and fabulous illustrations . After completing the very first painted Swindog for The Big Dog Art Trail , Hannah was excited to go onto develop a special hospice dog , designed with the children who are cared for by Julia ’ s House .
Hannah , said , “ Two things really inspired my design for Julia ’ s House ; the idea that it ’ s finally okay for us all , especially children , to be outside again . Also , I really wanted to celebrate Swindon ’ s beautiful parks and wild spaces .”
Location : The location for the Tails of Swindon Swindog ( pictured ) is STEAM Museum . Sponsor : Dick Lovett
Hannah ’ s second Swindog for Julia ’ s House Children ’ s Hospice will be located at Pinetrees Community Centre .
Mike Pringle
Swindon-based artist and historian Mike Pringle has been a professional designer and artist for many years . He has designed and illustrated all sorts of work , including material for Thomas the Tank Engine and more recently a number of memorials around the parks of Swindon .
Mike is heavily involved with the volunteer-run Richard Jefferies Museum in Swindon , which celebrates the local Victorian writer , whose words and passion for nature , and our relationships to it , are more important today than ever . Mike used this as his inspiration for his Swindog design , which reflects the local nature , both wild and agricultural , plus the industrial world that sits in the midst of it all .
Location : Lydiard Park Sponsor : Persimmon
10 www . tbeswindonandwilts . co . uk