Wells Art Contemporary: Wells Art Contemporary remains committed to providing the unique opportunity of showing in Wells Cathedral to all artists. To give them more time to enter, the submission date is extended until 1 August 2020.
The 2020 exhibition will be selected by artists Phil Allen, Neville Gabie and Lisa Wright. With the full support of the Dean, we will present the exhibition in Wells Cathedral as soon as it is safe to do so. All shortlisted works will also be displayed in a virtual exhibition, and social media coverage will be increased to promote artists’ work more than ever. Artists have the chance to win cash prizes, mentorship and exhibition opportunities, and more.
Wales Contemporary: For the wellbeing of artists and visitors, the exhibition of shortlisted artworks, initially due to take place this summer, will be postponed until it is safe for us to gather and enjoy art together once again. We are committed to giving artists the chance to show their work, which is why the Wales Contemporary / Cymru Gyfoes exhibition will go ahead at a later date, at the Waterfront Gallery in Milford Haven and the Senedd and Pierhead Building in Cardiff.
The call for entries has been extended in order to give artists more time to submit their work. For the opportunity to win prizes of £12,000, artists can submit 2D or 3D artworks in any medium (painting, drawing, sculpture, etc.) excluding photography and film, until 1 September 2020. The submissions will be judged by renowned artist Basil Beattie RA, Welsh-based sculptor Sebastien Boyesen, as well as painter and emeritus professor Gerda Roper.
The Wells Art Contemporary (WAC) Awards are an open competition for contemporary art rapidly gaining praise in Britain and abroad.
Established in 2012 by a group of artists and their friends in Wells, the beautiful cathedral city in the South-West of England, WAC is dedicated to promoting and supporting innovative and challenging visual artists at all stages in their career.
From an idea that came to life around a kitchen table WAC has already established a strong presence in the London art world and is drawing artists from places as diverse as Australia, Azerbaijan, India, Italy, Korea, Japan and the United States, as well as all over Britain.
Lucy Glendinning, The Unknown Boy 2, WAC 2019 Exhibitor, Photo: Claus Bach 
Rupert Hartley, Fool’s Gold, WAC 2019 exhibitor
Artists over the age of 18, based in the UK or internationally, are invited to enter up to 4 works in any medium – painting, sculpture, drawing, printmaking, photography, installation or video. They can enter by online submission before Thursday 16 April 2020. The entry fee is £15 per work or £12 per work for students.
The following prizes will be awarded:
- RK Harrison Award: £2,000 awarded to one artist.
- ChubbBulleid People’s Prize: £500 selected by visitors of the exhibition.
- JGM Gallery Exhibition Prize: an exhibition in 2020 at the JGM Gallery, in the heart of London’s new cultural quarter next to the Royal College of Art in London.
- Next Generation Art Prize: a two-week solo exhibition at the Andelli Art Gallery, including a private view and social media support, awarded to an artist up to 30 years of age.
- NG Creative Residency: a free two-week placement at the NG Art Creative Residency in Eygalières, Provence, including board and lodging, studio space, mentorship and residency-related outings.
- Parker Harris Mentoring Prize: a one-to-one mentoring session covering all aspects of professional development to a selected artist.
Christy Burdock, Who has seen the Wind?, WAC 2019 exhibitor 
Davies Philip: Girls with balls
The Exhibition of shortlisted artworks will be held at the historic Wells Cathedral, Somerset, and be open to the public from 11 July – 9 August 2020, 9am – 4.30pm daily. All exhibitors will be invited to the Private View on Friday 10 July 2020.
For more information: https://www.wellsartcontemporary.co.uk/home
To enter: https://wac.artopps.co.uk/
