Wells Art Contemporary Awards 2022

Wells Art Contemporary Awards 2022 now is over!

Wells Art Contemporary Awards 2022: The Wells Art Contemporary Awards 2022, an open competition for contemporary visual art recently opened for entries invites all artists working in painting, sculpture, drawing, printmaking, photography, installation or video to participate.

➜ Short description

The Wells Art Contemporary Awards 2022, now in its 10th year, is recently opened competition for contemporary visual art that is gaining praise and respect in Britain and abroad.

This is an international open art competition to be held during July and August 2022 in the heart of Somerset, UK. This major annual event in the life of the city, WAC provides two distinct ways for artists working in any medium to show artworks in the beautiful spaces of Wells Cathedral. Firstly, in a specially constructed gallery in the Cathedral cloisters; second, as installations within the Cathedral itself and its courtyards. The competition supports the Cathedral’s strategy of social and spiritual engagement by opening up its spaces to the widest possible community.

Visitors from across the world are drawn to Wells, particularly during the summer months, and its celebrated Gothic cathedral is a focal point. Wells Art Contemporary adds a unique extra dimension to their visits and has puts international art into the heart of this ancient small city. Anthony Gormley has recently chosen to exhibit a work on the Cathedral’s West front. It is open to artists working in painting, sculpture, drawing, printmaking, photography, installation or video. Artists may enter up to 4 works.

There is no size restriction on work submitted. JPEG, TIFF and PNG file formats are acceptable. There is a maximum file size of 1MB. If you are selected organiser will request a larger image.

Selected artists will have their work shown in the iconic Wells Cathedral as well as in a dedicated virtual gallery on the Wells Art Contemporary website.

➜ Who may enter?

All artists based in the UK or internationally, who are over the age of 18 on the 1st January 2022 are invited to apply. A third party may also submit work on the artists behalf with the full permission of the artist.

➜ Prize:

➜ Howden Art Award: 2,000 GBP awarded to one artist
➜ People’s Choice Prize: 500 GBP
➜ NG Art Creative Residency: The Prize Winner will receive a free two-week placement at the NG Art Creative Residency in Eygalieres, France.

➜ Entry fees:

Entry fee is 15 GBP (approx. 20 USD) or 12 GBP for current students. If you are a student, you can use the special code at checkout to enter one work for free. The first 90 students to enter will receive this discount.