This years Swindon Open Studios event is well and truly opened! Yesterday (Saturday 21st September) saw Swindon’s very own answer to Industrial Light & Magic ‘Podpad Studios’ show off to the public some of its amazing creations as part of Swindon Open Studios event which sees local Swindonian artists open up their doors to display their art and studios across the town to the public.
The Family event that saw the Mayor of Swindon attend to give his support was the start of an exhibition spread over two weekends. The public were given a unique art show mixing Sci-Fi with art from over 20 of the towns artists.
Normally only seen at events such as Comic Con, Podpad Studios, the organisers of this particular event at The Carriage Works in the historic heart of Swindon, near the Train Station put on what was truly a whole family fun experience, especially for the ‘Big Kids’ in us! You guys know who I’m talking about.
As well as Stormtroopers, Jedi, Darth Vader and other Star Wars cosplayers provided by MK Garrison, the public were entertained by Darlek’s, dragons movie inspired cars and motorbikes such as a Batmobile resembling a style from the days of George Clooney and Val Kilmer’s time as the caped crusader, as well as a fully autonomous AI robot T1-FNY resembling one of the famous origin robots from the Terminator franchise.
Podpad Studios who create props for TV & Film as well as creating and building bespoke creations for the general public are now selling off many of their movie inspired vehicles to make space to new projects, which means one lucky member of the public can get their hands on a one of a kind Batmobile!
Mixed in with the dragons, robots and movie inspired cars & bikes, were numerous talented artists from the town showing off their art which was also available for sale including Chris Daw who specialises in creating stunning pieces of F1 art, a great idea for a racing fan with Christmas just around the corner, as well as Proper Gander Artist, Geoffrey Tucker Smith, Hannah Locke, John Webb, Trevor Hancock, Abigail Wheatley, Dale Cummings & Charlotte Abraham to name a few.
There was also a live makeup display by Swindon New College who put on a demonstration of media makeup techniques, turning one of their team into a burn victim, something you would see in an action movie or an episode of Casualty, offering information to anyone interested in getting into makeup artist industry within TV, Film and Theatre.
Next door, Create Studios opened their doors to give an insight on what this non-profit organisation do, helping young people get into the media, TV & film industry. The studio has an amazing track record of nurturing you talent who want to break into the world of creative industries of film and media as well as providing refreshments and hosting digital artists, illustrators and authors, including local children’s book author Lisa Mullan, who has a PhD in Biochemistry and worked as a Science Training Officer, teaching biochemists all over the world. Click HERE for Lisa’s website.
Sunday’s event was a bit more of a ‘chillaxed’ quieter affair. The public were able to still wonder round the exhibit and look upon the Podpad Studio creations in awe, but just without the cosplayers such as Stormtroopers wandering around, instead the public were entertained on Sunday’s event with musical performances including one from a local choir.
The event organised by Podpad Studios partnered up with Swindon Borough Council, Create Studios, Zozo Thomas and Beard Construction to create the exhibition to inspire and entertain the whole family, and they definitely did that! The weekend saw a great turnout from not only within Swindon, but further afield including just over the border in Oxfordshire.
Dont worry if you missed this weekends amazing FREE event, the Podpad Studio event will be back next weekend 28th & 29th September 2024 from 11am to 4pm.
Location: Enter via Create Studios, 10 Carriage Works, London St, Swindon SN1 5FB
Who are Podpad Studios?
Podpad Studios create props for film, TV and exhibitions who also have a considerable catalogue of props for hire. A local Swindon based family business, run by husband and wife team, Anna and Mark Enright, who share a passion for prop making. As well as working within the prop-making industry. Both Anna & Mark have alter egos can be seen on their YouTube channel as their alter egos ‘Master Maker’ and ‘Mrs Breaker’.
Swindon Open Studios:
Swindon Open Studios, in its 20th year, have out done themselves for 2024, making this the biggest year ever with 130 creatives, across 56 venues.
Swindon Open Studios is an annual community exhibition during which artists invite members of the public into their studios and homes for a chance to see where and how their art is made during two consecutive weekends with a chance to buy original pieces of art.
Organised by a committee of volunteers, passionate about art and keen to publicise each other and the artwork being produced in Swindon, organised their first event back in 2004, followed by the next event in 2006. Since 2008, the event has been an annual event in the town excluding the intervention of COVID in 2020 and 2021.
For more details about Swindon Open Studios, check out their website, click HERE.
Swindon Open Studios In its 20th year, Swindon Open Studios is run entirely by volunteers. Artists all over Swindon open their studios, or exhibit at other venues. 2024 is their biggest year ever, including over 130 creatives, across 56 venues.
The Carriage Works was kindly provided by the Swindon Borough Council.
Entertainment Swindon 
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