The 14th Black Swan Arts Open in Frome promises to showcase a wealth of talent from established and emerging artists from the south-west when it opens on Friday, and is set to draw huge crowds.
The Open – an annual competition for original artwork by both established practitioners and emerging artists – is the highlight of Black Swan Art’s programme of exhibitions.
Organiser Jasmine Smart says, “Since 2002 it has established a reputation for attracting some of the very best contemporary artists and artworks, and for selecting diverse and original pieces. The work covers a vast range of media and sizes, including painting, drawing, printmaking, ceramics, photography, sculpture, moving image, multi-media, digital and textiles.
“A record-breaking 660 entries were received in 2015, but this year’s show has topped that figure at an amazing 697. The gallery space in which the work will be exhibited has been expanded for 2016, so the fourteenth Open is on track to be the most successful show ever.”
Black Swan chair Amanda Sheridan says, “The Black Swan Arts Open offers a unique opportunity to see the wide range of artistic talent in the area all in one venue – and buy their work. The judges 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. They spent a mammoth six-hour session selecting 100 pieces from the hundreds of artworks submitted. The successful entries will be displayed in the main gallery at Black Swan Arts from 21st October to 19th November. All the work is for sale.”
Shortlisted artists have the chance of winning prizes including the Hauser and Wirth Somerset First Prize of £750, Frome Town Council’s People’s Choice Award of £250 (voted for by the public over the course of the show), the Mount Art Prize of framing a piece for an artist in full-time education, the Postscript Prize of art materials for an emerging artist, the Vametric Prize, and the chance to win a solo show at Black Swan Arts.
Amanda added, “The Open demonstrates the Black Swan Arts’ ongoing and major commitment to the development of artistic talent and to the building of strong links with the community, locally and regionally, and supporting excellence in the south-west.”
For further information visit www.blackswan.org.uk/artsopen2016 or contact Jasmine Smart at exhibitions@blackswan.org.uk or 01373 473980.
