The Ferens Art Gallery is calling for submissions from professional and amateur artists for their 2023 Open Exhibition.
They’re inviting submissions from creatives across the city, whether they are seasoned exhibitors or entering for the very first time.
It’s a chance for local artists to have their work seen by thousands of people. It’s also a great opportunity for them to sell their artwork.
The Ferens team hope to encourage artists from diverse backgrounds to submit their artwork and showcase a broad range of artworks in all mediums. They are also encouraging young artists aged 16-25 to get involved as they could be in with a chance of winning the Future Ferens Young and Emerging Talent Award, with a prize of £150.
All UK artists aged 16 or above can enter and are eligible to submit up to three pieces of work for consideration. Entrants can submit their work by visiting www.FerensOpen.co.uk once the application form goes live on Tuesday 7 March. Submissions will close on Tuesday 28 March.
Works will then be selected by a panel of specialist judges from the arts sector in April. This year’s selectors will be Artist and Curator Nahem Shoa, Visual Artist Divya Sharma and Music Services Manager at The Warren Youth Project, Scott Langthorp.
The chosen artworks will be on display from Friday 21 July until Sunday 1 October at the Ferens Art Gallery. Successful artists will be eligible to win cash prizes sponsored by the Friends of the Ferens and BSB Architecture.
The gallery is offering free 30-minute workshops for artists needing support with submitting artwork online, photographing artwork, and setting up an email address. Full details can be found here on the website or by calling 01482 614290.
Councillor Rob Pritchard, portfolio holder for Communities, Crime Prevention and Culture, said: “The annual Open Exhibition at the Ferens Art Gallery has celebrated the creativity of amateur and professional artists since 1967. It is important that we offer this regular opportunity to showcase exceptional local and regional talent.
“The hallmark of the Open Exhibition is the wonderful diversity of the content and of the artists who submit their work. I urge our local artists to show the city what they have to offer.”
Claire Longrigg, Exhibitions Officer at Ferens Art Gallery, said: “The Open Exhibition draws thousands of visitors each year and is a major highlight of the gallery’s programme. We are excited to see the breadth of artistic talent and look forward to creating an exhibition that celebrates the local art scene and provides a platform to explore some of the key themes and concerns of artists working today.”
It costs just £5 to submit each piece of work and the work must have been created within the last 18 months. All artists will be notified of the selector’s decision by email, and if successful will be asked to deliver the artwork to the gallery from Thursday 22 June – Wednesday 28 June.
For full terms and conditions and more information on submitting your artwork, visit: www.ferensopen.co.uk
