Since autumn 2005, the charming
Needhams Restaurant in Witchford, near the historic city
of Ely in Cambridgeshire, has hosted a visual art
exhibition programme specialising in and providing
opportunities for new and emerging artists from around
UK.
The exhibition programme is managed and promoted by Ovenden
Contemporary and features work by artists, photographers
and Illustrators represented by the agency. Artists such
as Gareth Buxton, Sue Vesely MA rca, David Boardman, Jeremy Mayes and Craig Kerrecoe have featured at Needhams several
times, over the years.
In the true spirit of the now well-established exhibition
programme, the Needhams Open Art Competition was launched
in 2008 to create an exciting opportunity for new and
emerging visual artists from around the world, culminating
in an exhibition of the shortlisted work in April/May 2009.
The first prize, awarded to one of the shortlisted
artists/photographers selected by our panel of judges, will
be a solo exhibition at Needhams during 2009. The winning
artist/photographer will also be offered non-exclusive
representation from Ovenden Contemporary.
Click here to take a look at the
finalists.
Artist Jeremy Mayes with
Luke & Verity Pearson, Needhams
owners/operators
The competition was open to all new and
emerging visual artists & photographers from around the
world, amateur or professional, working in a 2D, wall
hanging format. To qualify as a new or emerging artist you
would have been practicing for less than five years or have
graduated less than five years ago and be unrepresented by
a major gallery, agent or publisher at the time of
application.
This new open competition &
exhibition aims to bring exciting, innovative, contemporary
art and photography to the district of East Cambridgeshire,
whilst strengthening the position of Needhams in that
district, as a venue renowned for supporting new and
emerging visual artists of merit.
The following youtube clip is a slideshow of all the
submitted entries to the competition...
We will post details of all those entries
that receive commendations, all those that are shortlisted
to feature in the exhibition and, of course, the winning
entry, once the selection process is completed. Watch out
for our documentary about the selection process too!
Meet the
judges...