Warminster's aspiring artists have been encouraged to submit work for two open art exhibitions as part of the town’s annual festival, which starts tomorrow.
Face Mail has seen 150 locals draw self portraits on blank postcards, which will be exhibited in an empty shop in the Three Horseshoes Mall throughout the festival.
The Chalk Marks exhibition will feature an array of works inspired by Wiltshire’s chalk landscape, displayed at the Footprint Gallery in Chinn’s Court and Magpie in East Street.
Exhibition organiser Jennie Gilling said: “You are aware of chalk in Wiltshire, from its grasslands and wildflowers to the number of horses cut into its hillsides and visible from miles around.
“Many of the artists were inspired by this beautiful landscape and its natural characteristics, with images of some of the iconic chalk horses.
“In the exhibition are works that have an abstract interpretation, some using the medium itself to produce texture and a sculptural element, and works about chalk pits, white cliffs and blackboard chalk.”
Other artworks will be displayed in the windows of more than 26 businesses around the town centre.
The festival kicks off tomorrow in Warminster Park, with the Olympic Torch carried by local fundraiser Nic Noble in the Torch Relay being carried around the lake at 10am.
There will be arts and crafts all day in the park community centre, and many other free entertainments.
Sunday’s Vintage Bus Running Day sees about 30 vintage buses, in their 1950s and ’60s livery, take people out on free trips around the town and through the countryside.
Danish documentary film-maker Anne Gyrithe Bonne will attend the screening of her film Aung San Suu Kyi: Lady of No Fear at Warminster Festival on October 10.
The film is a portrait of the life of the Burmese activist and opposition party leader, and a tribute to non-violent resistance to oppression.
Ms Suu Kyi’s sister-in-law Lucinda Phillips, of Bath Road, is hosting the event, which will be held at the Athenaeum at 7.30pm.
For details of all the many music, art, dance and literary events, visit www.warminsterfestiva l.co.uk.
Programmes are available around the town.
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