The Oriel CRiC Gallery has for the past eight years been the driving force behind the popular annual Crickhowell Open Studio weekend and is once again running an Open Art Competition to coincide with the event. The competition afforded the gallery the opportunity in 2014 and 2015 to mount an exciting exhibition of selected work from well over four hundred entries by both professional, emerging and amateur artists.
Visitors admiring the winning entry by Tredegar artist Kay Leverton
Organiser Suzette Pratten said, “We were overwhelmed by the tremendous response to the competition in its first two years and by the exceptionally high standard of entries.
We are delighted to have succeeded in our aim of creating an opportunity for artists to be part of an exhibition that attracts thousands of visitors and which adds to the vibrancy of the weekend which has become such a popular addition to the tourism calendar in Crickhowell and the area.
We received entries from far and wide and even included a few international exhibitors, which of course added to the excitement.
In the centre’s tenth year the staff and volunteers are in a particularly celebratory mood and look forward to entries arriving by the closing date of 20 March and to welcoming artists and visitors to the much admired gallery space.”
She added, “The event has become a feature of the Spring Bank Holiday weekend in Crickhowell and the surrounding area as numerous artists open their doors to welcome visitors to their studios or other venues.
Gwyn and Angie Dix whose collaborative entry was popular with visitors during the course of the weekend
Art can be found in many an unexpected spot as businesses in Crickhowell embrace the event by offering window display space for artists thereby making the town a veritable feast for the eyes and pointing visitors in the direction of exceptional art and craftsmanship much of which is inspired by the Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains. What better way to enjoy the rich heritage and beauty of the area?”
Entry forms and Guidelines with Terms and Conditions can be downloaded from www.visitcrickhowell.co.uk or collected from the gallery which is upstairs in the Resource & Information Centre, Beaufort Street, Crickhowell or contact the gallery on 01873 813669 or openart@visitcrickhowell.co.uk
The exhibition officially opens on the evening of 25 May and continues until 17 July 2016.
Oriel CRiC
