Deadline closing in on THG OPEN for professional and amateur South West artists

The judges have been named and the artists haven been invited to submit their work to the THG OPEN competition. But the deadline is looming, so prepare to submit your work to be in with a chance of the £750 top prize.

Thelma Hulbert Gallery (THG) has revealed the judges for their bi-annual THG 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 thanks to the generosity of sponsors Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood auctioneers, together with Hybrid Gallery in Honiton who are kindly supporting the Best Emerging Artist prize of £250 and the Visitors’ Choice prize of £150 is sponsored by 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.

Frances 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 2 June. 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, THG Curator 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 30 May, and the winners will be revealed on 2 June. The cost is £16 / £14 THG Friends per entry.

For more information or to download an application form, please visit www.thelmahulbert.com

THG OPEN 2018 (2 June – 25 August 2018). Celebrating the rich and varied talent of artists living in the South West.

(from a press release)