SOLDIERS returning from active service will be able to communicate their experiences through art, thanks to a project launched on Friday at Salisbury Library.

Other Worlds is the brainchild of Peter Riley, curator of the John Creasey Museum at Salisbury library. The museum’s recent acquisition of the watercolour painting, Ghost in Shale, by Paul Nash, an official war artist in both world wars provided the catalyst for the project launch.

Speaking at the launch, Mr Riley said: “Other Worlds is a project linking up with the armed services, specifically, Tidworth Garrison which has 9,000 service personnel. The army forms a large part of our community so we thought that would be a great group to work with, as we very rarely see their world.”

John Thomson, deputy leader of Wiltshire Council said: “This project is an example of why it is important to bring communities together.”

Garrison commander Colonel Paddy Tabor spoke in support of the project: “It is perhaps unusual to imagine taking an art project to soldiers. The project will try to identify soldiers who perhaps do not know they have any artistic talent. We do not know what will come out of this, but I think we will have a unique opportunity to experience something we did not know was there.”

The project has been awarded a grant by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Roger Goulding from the Heritage Lottery Fund South West said: “This project has a lot of interest in the community. It is about helping soldiers to share their experiences and I am looking forward to the exhibition at the end.”

The project will be managed by Salisbury based artist Prudence Maltby, who will work with other artists and an art therapist to provide guidance and support. There will be a touring exhibition of the artworks.