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Guildford Borough Council : Guildford House Gallery Launches Prestigious Awards

Guildford Borough Council : Guildford House Gallery Launches Prestigious Awards

Guildford House Gallery and renowned arts consultancy, Parker Harris, are launching a new annual open art competition and exhibition.

The Guildford House Open competition will highlight outstanding artistic talent. The competition and exhibition will showcase the best contemporary art from across the country.

The judging panel

Further raising the profile of our Heritage Service, Exhibitions and Audience Development Officer, Lynn Szygenda has been invited to sit on the esteemed panel of judges.

Alongside Lynn to draw up the shortlist and decide the final winner is:

  • Hayam El-Sayad, oil painter
  • Tabish Khan, London Art Critic
  • Will Nash, sculptor

The exhibition

Up to 100 artworks will be selected for a group exhibition in our historic Guildford House Gallery on the High Street.

The winning artist will be awarded with a solo exhibition at the gallery and a prize of £1,000.

Lead Councillor for Heritage, Cllr Catherine Houston, said: “What an exciting time for our Heritage Service! The Guildford House Open competition will be a prestigious, national event. It’s a real accolade to have been selected to host the competition and the winner’s solo exhibition.

“It’s important to recognise that, as partners for this event, we will not be expected to fund the awards. However, we hope that this major art event will put our borough on the map for culture and bring visitors from all over the UK.

“We’re expecting a high calibre of entries and I’m looking forward to seeing the judges’ selection.”

The selected artworks will be available to see in the Guildford House Open at Guildford House Gallery. The exhibition will open to the public from Saturday 25 November 2023, until Saturday 6 January 2024. Local artists wishing to enter the Guildford House Open have until 5pm on Tuesday 3 October to submit their entry. More information can be found online. Applications are made online via the submission portal