Bath Open Art Prize 2023

Exhibition of selected works 12th - 28th Oct 2023

44AD artspace, Bath, BA1 1NN, UK

Now in its 11th year, The Bath Open Art Prize is one of the key open art prizes in the South West. Welcoming submissions from visual artists working in any medium, from across the globe, an eclectic and exciting mix of high-level submissions are received; including video and installation as well as painting, print and 3D.

Developed as part of Fringe Arts Bath (FaB), alongside the established traditions, the prize welcomes more idiosyncratic and whimsical works that reflect FaB’s open approach. From the many submissions received, works are selected for showing as part of a 2 week long exhibition this autumn at 44AD artspace in central Bath.

Judges Andrea V. Wright and Jon Bennington, will join the exhibition selection team and will be awarding the prizes. Read more about them below.

Submission fees:

For 1 artwork the fee is £20

For up to 3 artworks the fee is £30

Fringe Arts Bath (FaB) is a non-profit organisation run by volunteers. Your entry fees support project costs, and also help fund FaB's annual visual arts festival and keep it free and accessible for visitors to enjoy.

Andrea V. Wright, Artist

In 2016 Andrea was the first recipient of the 44AD artspace Solo Exhibition Opportunity at the Bath Open Art Prize, and we are delighted to have her return this year as a selector and judge.

Andrea is a multi-disciplinary visual artist currently based in London, UK. She graduated with a BA from Chelsea College of Art & Design in 1994 and embarked on a career in fashion, styling and music, working with magazines such as The Face, Arena and Italian Vogue before re-engaging with her art practice in 2010. 

Since graduating with Distinction with an MFA, Fine Art, Bath School of Art & Design in 2016 Andrea has been invited to exhibit in London at Arthouse1, the Collyer Bristow Gallery, Koppel Project, ’New Relics’ at Thames Side Studios, Prevent This Tragedy at Von Goetz, Post Institute curated by Dateagle Art and ‘Index’ curated by ThorpStavri. 

Andrea had her first Solo Show in 2019 at Galeria Nordes, Spain and was selected for the Jerwood Drawing Prize 2017, Royal Society of Sculptors Bursary Award 2017/18 and the Ingram Collection Purchase Prize 2019. Andrea completed the PADA residency in Lisbon, Portugal in 2021 which culminated in a solo show at the Foundry Gallery, London in March 2022 and is currently a mentor for MASS Sculpture School. 

Recently Andrea has shown work in the epic ‘Factory Project’, ‘Drape’ at Fold Gallery, ’New Forms’ at the Saatchi Gallery, London and ‘LUMA’ curated by AORA.

www.andreavwright.com
Instagram: @andreavwright

Jon Benington, Curator and Arts Speaker

After studying art history for four years in London, Jon worked full-time from 1982-2022 in public galleries in Leeds, Glasgow, Cheltenham and Bath. In the latter two places he particularly enjoyed engaging with the local artistic communities on exhibition and outreach projects, backed up by new research, publications and selling opportunities. At the Victoria Art Gallery he did much to extend the permanent collection into and beyond the post-war period, with many acquisitions of works by prestigious artists based in Bath and its environs. He now works freelance as a writer, curator and lecturer with a specialism in 20th/21st century art.

linkedin.com/in/jon-benington-9028906

Selected works will be exhibited at 44AD artspace in central Bath from Thurs 12th to Saturday 28th October 2023.

1st Prize: £500 cash sponsored by The Arts Society Wessex Area and The Arts Society Community Grants.

2nd Prize: £250 cash sponsored by The Bell Inn.

People's Choice: £50 art vouchers, sponsored by Minerva Arts Supplies

Solo Exhibition Opportunity provided by 44AD artspace: an exhibition in 44AD artspace's basement gallery.

Emerging Artist’s Award: £250 sponsored by TSL Consulting
The Bath Open Art Prize Emerging Artist Award will be awarded to an early-stage Artist of any age, who is in the first 10 years of their practice. They may be a student, a graduate or self-led in their learning and whether practicing full or part-time are committed to developing their practice.
To be considered, please tick the relevant box on the application form and briefly describe (in up to 50 words) where you are at the moment and what you hope will come next.

Deadline Mon 11 Sept 2023

11.59pm - Submission deadline

Sun 24 Sept

Artists selected for the exhibition will be informed

Sun 8 and Mon 9 Oct

Accepted works are to be delivered to the venue

Thurs 12 to Sat 28 October

Exhibition dates for The Bath Open Art Prize 2023