Black Swan Arts in Frome has announced the winners of its sixteenth annual Art Open show, with artists from the town leaving with prizes.
The Black Swan Arts Open is an annual competition for original artwork by established practitioners and emerging artists, and has established a reputation for attracting some of the very best contemporary artists and artworks.
This year the work includes painting, drawing, printmaking, ceramics, photography, sculpture, moving image, multi-media, digital and textiles.
The 2018 panel of judges were Steve Burden, artist and winner of BSA Solo Show 2016; Sue Conrad, local artist and benefactor; Michael Eavis, creator of Glastonbury Festival; Debbie Hillyerd, director of education, Hauser and Wirth Somerset and Johnny Messum, director of Messums Wiltshire.
Of the 19 award winners, over half the artists were from Somerset, and 18 winners were from the West Country.
The Frome winners were: Highly Commended for the First Prize – Emma Tuck for Do, redo, cover, uncover, break
Postscript Prize for 3D – Tom Baskeyfield for The Lion (and the Dragon)
Volunteers’ Choice – Toby Holmes for ‘46’
Highly Commended for the BSA programming group Solo Show Prize – Toby Holmes for 23 Polar Bears.
The curating team of the event, Amanda Sheridan and Morag Stewart said, “Toby Holmes’ delightful work ‘46’ has won the vote of Black Swan Arts group of dedicated volunteers. Toby lives in Frome and has become a great fan of Frome’s art gallery since moving to the town two years ago. His art is full of humour and appeals to all ages, especially children, using wit to explain more serious messages about the environment and pollution.
“Without the committed stewards who volunteer their time every week, Frome’s art centre would not be able to open. Trustees wanted to thank the volunteers for their dedicated commitment, by asking them to choose and present this special prize.
“Black Swan Arts receives no external funding, so the Arts Open is the biggest fundraiser of the year, enabling the building to exhibit contemporary and interesting art. The Black Swan Arts centre is free to visit and accessible to everyone in the community.
“The Frome Town Council People’s Choice Award will be voted for by visitors and awarded at the end of the show on 24th November, so drop in, enjoy the exhibition and pick your favourite piece. There are 90 artworks to choose from. All the work on show is for sale, so it’s a fantastic opportunity to buy a unique piece of artwork and support your local arts centre.”
For further information about the Open please visit www.blackswanarts.org.uk or contact Morag Stuart at exhibitions@blackswanarts .org.uk.
Above: Tom Baskeyfield (centre) with Rachel and Gary from Postscript
Below: Emma Tuck
Bottom: Toby Holmes.
