Artists, curators and venues across Swindon town are once again joining forces this summer as the Swindon Arts Fringe Festival (SWAF) returns to Swindon Town Centre from 15–28 June 2026.
Now in its third year, the festival continues to grow in scale and ambition, championing creative opportunity across Swindon’s vibrant arts community.
Building on the success of previous years which saw over 100 artists involved and thousands of visitors, SWAF26 will present 17 exhibitions, with 14 housed under one roof, alongside a programme of workshops and events designed to engage audiences of all ages.
Led by Artsite Ltd, SWAF remains a collaborative initiative bringing together artists, curators and local businesses. This year sees the continued strengthening of those partnerships, including a new collaboration at 19 Canal Walk, where the Brunel team’s support marks a significant step forward connecting the arts with Swindon’s business community.
A dynamic group of 15 curators have shaped this year’s programme, developing distinctive exhibition themes and inviting artists to respond in imaginative ways.
Highlights include:
- “Masquerade” (Roy Brewster) looking at identity and how we mask to fit into society.
- “The SWDN Exhibition” (Jake Dempsey), using graphic styles to showcase Swindon’s places, faces, and stories.
- “Staged” (Sheryl Fox) Wyvern Theatre, explores performance and identity.
- “Where Colour Remains”, a tribute to Paul Exton will be celebrating the life and art of Paul, a late member and founder of Artsite. The exhibition features his colourful abstract works, curated by family and friends, with proceeds supporting the local charity, Prospect Hospice.
- A tribute to 2025 Curator Geraldine, celebrating her work and creative legacy.
Venues this year include Artsite, Wyvern Theatre, 19 Canal Walk. All exhibitions and events are free, reinforcing SWAF’s commitment to accessibility and community engagement.
Lisa Lowe, a curator and now a member of the committee team, said: “Being part of the SWAF has been an incredible journey. The support and creative challenges each year brings are so rewarding. It’s amazing to see artists who once exhibited are now stepping into curating, it’s building a real sense of community and creating opportunities for so many people. It’s all about great teamwork, it’s fun, and I absolutely love it”.
The festival will launch with a special opening event at Artsite on 13 June at 7pm, featuring artwork by Paul Exton. The evening will include live body painting inspired by his work, alongside refreshments and music, inviting the public to learn more about the creativity on offer across this year’s programme.
For more information and a full list of exhibitions and events, visit: www.swindonartsfringe.co.uk
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