A POPULAR art exhibition has returned Swindon's parks for the summer holidays.

After positive feedback last year, South Swindon Parish Council has joined forces with the Swindon Museum and Art Gallery to bring back Art on Trees.

The initiative sees pictures of artwork from the museum fixed to trees along with a QR code, which gives art lovers and passers-by the chance to learn more about the specific piece.

Art on Trees will be in Faringdon Park until 7 August and will then move to Lydiard Park (August 9-22) and Lawns Park (August 24-September 5).

Central ward councillor Junab Ali said: “Swindon has one of the most valuable art collections in the country.

“We need to make aware of what heritage and culture Swindon has to offer in the art world.

“We have a fantastic art collection, second to none after London, which we should be really proud of of that and we really need to work together to have this purpose for the future of this town.

“I think we’ve hit on something here and people’s appreciation seems to be growing. This might become an annual thing over Swindon, not just in the parks.

“From what we have started, we might be a trailblazer for other towns and cities.

“The majority of people have probably never seen these collections and never known about these artists.

“While you are having the fresh air, enjoying the park with yourselves, family, or walking the dog, you can see artwork which you might have never seen before and appreciate the artwork.

“I think this might encourage people to come into the parks for their own health and wellbeing.

“You can just come to these parks and wander at your own time and pace 

Coun Ali also spoke about what the artworks can bring to the town.

He said: “To different people, art brings different things.

“Some people might like the drawing itself, but for some people who are more into art and know the artist, it might be the best thing since sliced bread.

“To every individual, it’s a different thing.”

Councillor Neil Hopkins added: “As a parish council, we supported this last year, and one of the things we try to do as a parish council is to bring a number of our activities and cultural efforts to all the parks of south Swindon.

“I will say that this is not a replacement for the Swindon Museum and Art Gallery, but this does bring art to people that they wouldn’t come across.”

“You have to make a positive effort to go to a museum.

“You’re out for a walk in one of our glorious parks in South Swindon, there’s no effort involved, you don’t have to plan for it.

“We’re open to other museums sharing their art galleries with us, it doesn’t just have to be the Swindon Museum and Art Gallery.

“We’d be more than happy to see collections from London or other cities to display some of their work in our parks.”