2024 Art Open attracts eyes, as exhibit opens to the public

Tuesday 03 December 2024

The annual 'Art Open' competition is now open to the public, at the George Crossan Gallery inside the Market Building.

Like past events, the competition allows islanders to enter pieces, potentially pick up a prize, whilst also getting the chance to show off their work.

The Open allows anyone to pick up a pen or paint brush, let their creative side take them wherever they want, and then get recognised locally for their talents.

The display at the Arts Commissions gallery in the Market Building is free to enter.

"I feel like everyone who is in the arts community views this as a highlight of the year," said Louise le Pelley, the Partnerships Development Executive at Guernsey Arts. "Will they get a piece into the open? Will they experiment with something new? Will it be a classic that they've already put forward?"

"There's sculpture, contemporary and maybe also some political commentary going on there. There's also oil painting. There's textiles, acrylics, inks, watercolor, puppetry.

"Since launching in 2020 it's really gone from strength to strength, and I think personally, you know, what we love to see is people developing confidence, meeting new people, and there's something really special about seeing everyone post about it on social media, how proud they are to see their art on the wall as well."

Pictured: Some of the local talent on display at this year's Art Open, which is open to all to visit.

The amount of art on display, in all its shapes and forms does mean it takes a while to truly soak everything on display in, and that's down to the amount of artists taking part.

It's often said that a turn into more depressive times, with tense geopolitical backdrops and harsh times on the general public, leads to more people taking on artistic hobbies and developing creative talents. The pandemic may have had an impact, with many taking that time to discover their creative flare, said Ms Le Pelley.

"I think since COVID, a lot of people have been using art, or recognizing the value of art, as a means of self expression. I count myself among those people. I didn't even work for the arts until a few years ago, but I think we've realized that the world is a less colorful place with without art.

"I think that the arts open is a very uplifting and validating experience, so I'm not surprised that people are, you know, flocking to it.

"It's people who might be still at school putting something in that they've worked on outside of school time, or, you know, we get the other side of it as well. People who maybe haven't practiced for a long time, and then just said, 'You know what, it's been 20 years. I'm gonna get a painting in' and everything in between. We've got accountants who are exhibiting. We have students, we have all sorts of interesting people who are also artists."

Pictured: The Art's Commissions space in the George Crossan Gallery, has works from local artists lining wall to wall, and the spaces in-between.

The overall winner award, and now judge for next year, went to Cat Lees for her piece 'Skimming', whilst the student award went to Eleanor Whittaker with her entry 'Portrait of George'.

One of the more attention grabbing sights on offer is a miniature Deputy John Gollop. Designed and displayed next to Ross Le Brun's caricature of the popular political figure, it's got the seal of approval from the man himself.

"This is amazing," said Deputy Gollop. "Ross Le Brun is a well known political voice and campaigner, as well as a member of a committee, so it's great to see a different, and extremely talented side of him. It makes me want to campaign a bit more for more funding of the arts, maybe I'll come back to the media about that shortly, as I already have some thoughts."

Pictured: The two Gollops. Created and submitted by Ross le Brun. The Express understands he had originally submitted the caricature, but worked right up until the deadline to finish the model in time. 

You can learn more about the Guernsey Arts Open and the work of the Guernsey Arts Commission on their website HERE.

The Express online gallery supplying a small taster of the Arts Open, is available HERE.