Press release / Black Swan announces Arts Open winners
Press release issued on behalf of Black Swan Arts, in Frome
Acclaim for South West artists
The work of three regional artists has received high acclaim this month in a competition held by Frome’s Black Swan Arts.
Now in its eighth year, the venue’s modern art contest attracted a record number of entries from across the UK.
This year’s Open Arts winners, all from the South West, were unveiled last Friday at a packed preview exhibition and award ceremony, held in the Black Swan:
£1000 Burton Sweet Award won by Jenny Purrett (Bristol) for “Daisy: Time Lapse Drawing”
The Bax Fine Art Award for £250 won by David Chandler (Frome) for “Angela’s Little Red Digger”
FDC Law Award for £250 won by Elisa Amor (Melksham). Untitled
“Some of the UK’s best contemporary artists have been recognised in this competition” commented Luke Wilde, Chair of Trustees at Black Swan Arts.
“Now the public has the chance to have its say. We’re really keen that people come and see the exhibition in the Black Swan and vote for their favourite, to decide the overall winner.”
Visitors to the art centre’s galleries are encouraged to view this year’s entries and nominate their favourite piece for the People’s Choice Award. A selection of entries will be on show until 1st May 2010 and visitors can vote for their favourite work by completing a voting form in Gallery One.
Mr Wilde added:
“This year’s finalists represent a fantastically eclectic mixture; demonstrating the great breadth of artistic talent that the Black Swan attracts.
“The judges were very enthusiastic about the quality of work entered, so we look forward to discovering the piece which really captures the attention of visitors to galleries.
“It’s also important to stress that the judges were keen for all who entered to persevere with their artistic practice.
The judging panel for the 2010 competition included celebrated Bristol sculptor Carol Peace, internationally-renowned painter Mark Karasick and senior lecturer and printmaker Ian Chamberlain.
The 2010 Open Arts Exhibition attracted over 500 entries. The judges carefully short-listed 80 pieces of work to show.
From the left: Luke Wilde (chair of trustees at Black Swan Arts), Martin Bax and Frome artist David Chandler – winner of the Bax Fine Art Award. This award was given by Martin Bax and members of his family, in memory of his grandfather Claude Bax, an artist of the Newlyn School of Painting who studied under Stanhope and Elizabeth Forbes.
“The invaluable and continued support from our many volunteers and sponsors, is greatly appreciated” continued Mr Wilde.
“The Open has become an established and far-reaching competition for promoting some of the UK’s most promising artistic ability, and we are very grateful to all those who continue to make this happen.”
The Black Swan Open Arts Competition is run bi-annually and encompasses a diverse range of visual arts and crafts, including painting, ceramics, sculpture, textiles, metal, wood, prints, photography and glass.