Honiton gallery gearing up to host OPEN competition

Angela Blackwell, the gallery’s curator will be joined by Brian Goodison-Blanks of Bearnes, Hampton & Littlewood auctioneers, Tim Woolgar, co-owner of Hybrid Gallery, artist Frances Hatch and Amelia Kyriacou, a member of THG Youth Group Masterpieces.

Professional and amateur South West artists are now invited to submit their work. The top prize is £750, while the best emerging artist will land a prize of £250 and the visitors’ choice prize £150.

The prizes come from OPEN sponsors Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood auctioneers, Hybrid Gallery in Honiton and Haughty Culture Florists.

Entrants to the Best Emerging Artist prize must have graduated in the last three years or be under 25 years old.

Frances Hatch was the previous winner of the main prize in the last THG OPEN in 2016.

Frances also headlined a solo show at THG last September to huge critical acclaim.

She said: “I am honoured to be involved as a judge in this year’s THG Open.

“I encourage artists to apply – it’s a great opportunity to have your work exhibited in a dedicated art space of regional excellence. Every show is sensitively curated and seen by many visitors.”

The finalists will be exhibited at Thelma Hulbert Gallery (THG), Honiton where the prize winners will be announced at the exhibition opening on Saturday, June 2.

Visitors will be able to vote in the gallery for their favourite piece to win the visitors’ choice award at the end of the exhibition.

Angela Blackwell said: “The THG Open has been running for over 10 years.

“We have seen many talented artists from the South West flourish through the competition over the years and this year’s competition promises to be the most inspiring yet.”

The deadline for applications is Friday 11 May, 2018.

Finalists will be announced on May 30, and the winners will be revealed on June 2. The cost is £16 (£14 THG Friends) per entry.

For more information or to download an application form, check out www.thelmahulbert.com