ASPIRING young artists have been busy creating hundreds of artworks for this year’s Black Swan Arts Young Open. The competition provides an exceptional opportunity for young people between the ages of 5 and 19 years to have their work curated, judged and exhibited in a professional gallery space.
The panel of judges – artists Amy Yates and Frank Goffey, and Kobi and Teal’s Nick Fraser made their selection of 150 pieces (from a huge 300+ entries) which are now on display in the Long Gallery and Round Tower at Black Swan Arts in Frome.
Four winners and four highly commended have been chosen from each age category: 5-7 years, 8-11 year, 12-15 years and 16-19 years. The younger winners won a workshop with artist Jo Joof while the older age range won a workshop with printmaker Chris Pig. Young Open sponsors Postscript kindly provided vouchers for each winner. The judges have been impressed with the originality and artistic excellence of the work submitted.
The show continues until 16th April. Visitors will get a chance to vote for their favourite artwork and have their name entered into a raffle to win an voucher for the River House cafe. There will also be an activity table and a fun Art Trail to follow around the building for the Easter holidays.
The Young Open is now in its eighth year. Black Swan Arts say, “Unfortunately, the last exhibition was sadly closed because of national lockdown on the first day of the exhibition in March 2020 so being able to hold the Young Open this year means so much to everyone at Black Swan Arts. This Young Open competition demonstrates the ongoing commitment of Black Swan Arts to the development of local artistic talent and to building strong links with the community.”
If you have any questions about the competition please visit www.blackswanarts .org.uk or contact Morag on 07986 847849 or email at exhibitions@ blackswanarts.org.uk.
