Winners chosen for Ilminster Open Exhibition
The winning artists have been announced for this year's Ilminster Open Exhibition, which attracted a record 101 entries. The competition, one of the highlights in the region's cultural calendar, supports established and emerging artists in the South West and offers a total prize pot of £800.
Overall winner Annie Musgrove with her painting 'Untouchable Horizons'.
At an awards ceremony at Ilminster Arts Centre top prize went to Annie Musgrove for her landscape painting 'Untouchable Horizons'. Annie works out of a studio in the Tone Valley and initially trained as a geographer.
The 3-D prize was awarded to Fenella D'Lucie for her sculpture 'Crystal Shard'. Fenella studied Art History and Drawing at college in Somerset and is now based in Dorset.
Runners-up were Lawrence Nash and David Brooke. Jo Norman, Lisa Robertson and Georgina King were highly commended.
The Emerging Artists award, for 17 to 25 year-olds, was shared between Jazz Puddy for 'Huntspill Cultivation' and Hannah Johnston for 'Fill Your Paper with the Breathings of Your Heart'. Both win 12-month's free membership of Somerset Art Works to help develop their artistic careers.
We welcomed artists from all over the region for the prize giving ceremony.
The exhibition at Ilminster Arts Centre runs until 2pm on 16 June. Entry is free. There's also the opportunity for the general public to vote for the Visitors' Choice Award.
Julia McKenzie from Ilminster Arts Centre said: "The Open Exhibition continues to go from strength to strength, reflecting the amazing breadth and depth of artistic talent in the South West. It provides the perfect platform for artists to showcase their work to a wide audience by having it displayed in our prestigious gallery. The winning work will also feature in an exhibition next year."
All the artwork displayed is for sale and, as a charity, Ilminster Arts Centre receives a commission on each item purchased.
The Ilminster Open Exhibition is sponsored by local firm Branston.