| Exhibition schedule | Artist living throughout the eastern counties can submit work for Eastern Open The closing date for submissions is Monday 21 March, 2005 The selection process takes place on Thursday 14 April, with the exhibition of successful works running from Saturday 7 May - Saturday 25 June For further details or an entry form please contact the King's Lynn Arts Centre galleries on 01553 779095 |
The King's Lynn Arts Centre is looking for local artists to take part in the 36th annual Eastern Open competition and exhibition. The submission window is now open for the exhibition - not just for Norfolk residents but for all artists aged over 16 living in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Lincolnshire or Suffolk. Last year saw more than 500 submissions from artists across the eastern counties, each vying to earn a space in the exhibition. "This is an excellent opportunity for artists, with any level of experience, to have their work viewed by internationally renowned judges from the art world," said Liz Falconbridge, visual arts and education manager at King's Lynn Arts Centre. "If the artists are successful in the selection process, their work will be part of an exhibition that is visited by thousands of people from across the region," she added. Opportunity to see varied works The Eastern Open exhibition is an opportunity to see the varied work that is on offer in the region in one place. "It gives artists, who may not have enough work for an individual exhibition, the opportunity to exhibit their work in a public forum which is also recognised across East Anglia as being a very prestigious exhibition," said Liz Falconbridge. Initiated in 1969 to persuade local painters not prolific enough for one-main exhibitions to join with others and show their work, Eastern Open has evolved into the largest and longest-standing regional open competition in the country. Selection judges The exhibition provides a mix of innovation and tradition, old favourites and new faces. This year's judges, set with the task of selecting pieces, are Richard Wentworth, David Messum and Michael Stanley. Richard Wentworth emerged as a major British sculptor during the late 1970s becoming renowned for taking everyday objects and transforming them into thought provoking pieces that force the viewer to look anew at the world around us. David Messum founded Messums in 1963, which is now internationally recognised for its research and representation of British Art from the 1880s to the present day and Michael Stanley is the director of Milton Keynes gallery, MK G. "The selection process takes a full day and is a very intensive period," said Liz Falconbridge.  | | Selection from Eastern Open 2003 |
"Every piece entered is carefully looked at by the judges. They then make the final decision as to which will go into the exhibitions and select those which will win the cash sponsored prizes. "It's a very long, but extremely satisfying day for all involved," she added. Submitting work for the exhibition Eastern Open is celebrating is 36th year this summer. It's felt the exhibition's longevity is due to the ever changing collection of works that are selected. "I believe part of its success is that there are always new artists looking to find a forum to display their work," said Liz. "This combined with the fact that we never use the same judges twice, means each year is a totally different exhibition." This year Eastern Open plans to include more than 150 works, available to view in four spaces. Judging takes place on Thursday 14 April, with the exhibition of successful works running from Saturday 7 May - Saturday 25 June. For further details or an entry form please contact the King's Lynn Arts Centre galleries on 01553 779095, or visit their website using the link above. The closing date for submissions is Monday 21 March, 2005. | 
