City art gallery announces return of ‘Swansea Open’ competition

The annual competition is open to anyone living in the city and county of Swansea – the SA1 to SA9 postcode areas – and is a celebration of art and craft from artists and makers throughout the city. 

The selected works from the submissions re being shown in the Gallery’s room 3 until mid-April. 

The selection is made by a different panel of invited selectors each year, thus encouraging diverse viewpoints annually. 

The exhibition seeks to reflect critical and cultural awareness, with a broad range of work by professional and non-professional artists. 

Three prize-winners are selected from the exhibited entries each year, with a first prize of £250, second prize of £150 and a third prize of £100. 

In addition, the Friends of Glynn Vivian Art Gallery is awarding a prize of £200 for a selected artwork.

This year’s invited selectors are visual artist of Indian origin Daniel Trivedy, who studied fine art at Swansea College of Art and is currently based in South Wales, and curator and academic Gillian Fox, who is based in London.

Glynn Vivian Curator, Karen MacKinnon said, “The Swansea Open always offers a lovely opportunity to celebrate the wealth of creativity our city has to offer.  

“We encourage entries from professional and amateur artists, art students and makers from all over Swansea.

“If you are not entering this year we would like to extend a warm welcome to you, your friends and family  to come and visit the exhibition and to celebrate the diverse and exiting culture of our city.” 

The works will be on display at the Gallery until Sunday 16 April 2023, with many of the works for sale as part of the exhibition. 

Lead image: Suzanne Callen, last year’s Swansea Open winner. (Image: Glynn Vivian Art Gallery)