THE deadline is fast approaching for submissions to Frome’s prestigious annual open art competition at Black Swan Arts.
The Black Swan Arts Open is an annual competition for original artworks by both established practitioners and emerging artists; the deadline for submissions for this year’s exhibition is Friday 16th September.
Black Swan’s Paul Newman said, “Since 2002, the Open has established a reputation for attracting some of the best contemporary artists and artworks, selecting diverse and innovative pieces and championing artistic excellence in the South West.
“This year, Black Swan Arts has expanded the gallery space in which the work will be exhibited, so the fourteenth Open is on track to be the most successful show ever!”
The competition welcomes original works from artists of all professions and disciplines who can submit work in any medium and in any size – from painting, drawing and printmaking to multimedia, digital, textiles, photography, sculpture and ceramics.
Previous Open shows have included works covering a wide range of subjects, from gritty urban pieces to images reflecting the natural and intimate West Country environment.
The invited panel of judges for 2016 are esteemed artists and individuals within the arts industry, including Gavin Turk, professor of art and design at Bath School of Art and Design; Lucy MacDonald, associate director of Hauser & Wirth Somerset; Suzanne Bisset, director of Bruton Art Factory; and artists Lawrence Nash RWA and Mark Francis.
The successful entries will be displayed in the main gallery at Black Swan Arts from 21st October to 19th November.
Shortlisted artists have the chance of winning a series of impressive prizes, including a first prize of £750, the Vametric Prize of £250 and the People’s Choice Award of £250 (voted for by the public over the course of the show), as well as the chance to win a solo show at Black Swan Arts.
For further information or to submit an entry, please visit www.blackswan.org.uk
![Town-wide programme brings month of social activities in May
A month-long programme of activities and events is set to take place across the town in May as part of an initiative encouraging residents to connect with themselves, each other and local places.
The scheme, Frome Connects, will run throughout the month and includes a mix of social activities, creative events and informal meet-ups in community spaces.
Highlights include the return of Dress Up Fridays, which began during lockdown and invites people to wear formal clothing or fancy dress and turn the town into their catwalk each Friday.
Set-piece moments include a Kate Bush-themed flashmob (Running Up That [Catherine] Hill) on 30th May, followed by a bell peal at St John’s Church where the bells will play Running Up That Hill.
There will also be a whole-town drone photo on Friday 30th May, with everyone encouraged to ‘look up’ at around 12.30pm.
Read more on our website, the link is in our bio.
Pictured: l-r Jenny Hartnoll and Ginny Adams](https://scontent-lhr6-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/684201964_18069463433653265_2722712448142239347_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiRkVFRC5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=lpPD1lkIpzUQ7kNvwGc5hdb&_nc_oc=Adpzr2hnI58mBzDyMxcnkdK_pr7-84FAARfoTk3dgtKJKwIbvYouQytEkAdXpaUAvxU&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-lhr6-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=QKz5uslOl1wFJGffej9rcQ&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQEhS3JmIIRGVtdvc7NeDg-szHPgOZvSeqR7PYflJsqm1cp0XCNujCDPTyODWI0mmJV4mujraOr9&oh=00_Af2_0pgXuakjMTfphq9JSx7v6C2RU__qPFT1d7jQmFh5EA&oe=69F7C6AA "Town-wide programme brings month of social activities in May
A month-long programme of activities and events is set to take place across the town in May as part of an initiative encouraging residents to connect with themselves, each other and local places.
The scheme, Frome Connects, will run throughout the month and includes a mix of social activities, creative events and informal meet-ups in community spaces.
Highlights include the return of Dress Up Fridays, which began during lockdown and invites people to wear formal clothing or fancy dress and turn the town into their catwalk each Friday.
Set-piece moments include a Kate Bush-themed flashmob (Running Up That [Catherine] Hill) on 30th May, followed by a bell peal at St John’s Church where the bells will play Running Up That Hill.
There will also be a whole-town drone photo on Friday 30th May, with everyone encouraged to ‘look up’ at around 12.30pm.
Read more on our website, the link is in our bio.
Pictured: l-r Jenny Hartnoll and Ginny Adams")
