At the end of March the Wootton Bassett Arts Festival held a Launch event for the NEW Art Section. The Festival Committee were really pleased to welcome Paul Deacon, their Art Adjudicator, who mingled with the attendees throughout the evening.

Presenters from the Festival started the evening with some background about the Festival and the reasons for starting a NEW Art Section. Miranda Shirnia, Marketing Director explained, “As a matter of fact when the Festival ran last year we received emails and phone calls asking us why there was no art section. As it happens at that time we were in the process of introducing Creative Writing and Speech and Drama and felt that another new section might be biting off a bit more than we could chew.  So we are pleased to be launching the New Art Section this year. This means that all those who felt it was missing last year - now's your chance!”

After the background was outlined a detailed explanation of all of the classes available was given and the audience was encouraged to make suggestions of changes or new classes to be included next year. “We welcome feedback from all Art and Photography clubs on what classes they would like to see included in the future – we want to make this an Art Section designed by the Art community to suit their needs”, commented Mrs. Shirnia.

Lastly Shirley Ludford of Swindon 105.5, left, gave a talk about the radio station and their programme Art2Art. Later she went on to talk one to one to those present including members of the Wiltshire Guild of Artists and Wroughton Art Society about their Art Societies.

Everyone enjoyed the wine, crudites and chance to socialise into the evening.