Exhibitions

2025 sees the return of the BLACK SWAN ARTS
YOUNG OPEN ART COMPETITION AND EXHIBITION.

The Young Open Art competition is a brilliant opportunity to showcase the artistic talents of all young people aged between 8 and 19 years. It is probably the largest art competition in the South West aimed exclusively at young people – it’s definitely the best!

Anyone can enter, no matter where in the world you live, your background or ability.

The exhibition will run between Saturday, March 22^nd and Sunday, April 27^th 2025 in the prestigious Long Gallery at Black Swan Arts Centre in Frome, Somerset.

The artworks selected for the exhibition will be divided into 3 age-group categories: 8-11 years, 12-15 years and 16-19 years.  All the work will be judged by a group of professional artists who will choose three prize-winners in each category and 3 Highly Commended.  Each of the prize-winners will be awarded with an individual workshop with a practising artist to help develop their skills, with the Highly Commendeds receiving a voucher for artists’ materials generously donated by Post Script of Frome.

There are no limits on what sort of art can be entered.  We welcome all and any of the following:

Collage         digital            drawing        textiles         jewellery     painting        metalwork               photography           sculpture    pottery         wood recycled materials           animation

The competition opens for entries on Wednesday, December 11^th 2024 and all the entry details and the terms and conditions are on the Black Swan Arts website: https://competition.blackswanarts.org.uk/competitions/young-open-2025

We are always blown away by the amazing talent shown by our young people, so please support them and this wonderful community event which is one of the highlights of the Black Swan year.

Lou Baker | Lola Bennett | Sujata Bharti | Betsy Bond | Victoria Bone | Juliet Duckworth
Amanda Hall | Alyson Minkley | Immi Murray | Elizabeth Royle | Lily Serendipity | Asha Uberoi

Twelve textile | mixed media artists in residence. Bath Spa University emerging and rising graduates making experimental collaborative work through social engagement in the Long Gallery and the Round Tower.

Curated by Lucy Gundry

Artists in residence

Join one of the interactive workshops, ceremonies, meditations or talks throughout the week and recapture your sense of calm as we step in 2025.

Class times and prices vary including free sessions throughout the week

More info and to book www.wildheartwellbeing.co.uk

This unusual exhibition will explore a lifetime of an artist’s work. Ian Richardson,  1938-2023, a respected local artist, was an honours graduate of the West of England College of Art, Bristol,  and a long-term member of Bath Society of Artists.  He exhibited widely in Wales and the west country. As well as teaching in schools and colleges,  Ian became an inspirational adult education tutor. His own work is innovative and intriguing, often using rural, urban and seaside environments as settings, but, in his own words , “always returning to the human figure. ”

The vibrant and expressive works will make viewing a rewarding experience.