Ilminster Arts Centre Open Exhibition 2026

The Ilminster Arts Centre is inviting all artists to submit work for our annual judged Open Exhibition 2026.

Work in the following media will be considered for exhibiting: paintings, original prints, drawings, sculpture, ceramics and textiles, digital collage but not photography.

An experienced panel of judges will carefully select works for inclusion in the exhibition. The panel includes:

• Julia McKenzie - Somerset based Illustrator and artist working primarily with drawing, paper cuts and collage.
• John Gammans - Somerset based artist inspired by the awe and majesty of the natural world, and the forces that shapes our planet.

• Fiona Campbell - artist and trustee ofSomerset Arts Works - Somerset’s countywide agency dedicated to developing the visual arts.
• Mike Lanigan – Sculptor and Arts Centre Volunteer. Mike is a self-taught sculptor with a passion for carving stone - marble being his favourite medium.
• Bryony Tidball – Ilminster Arts Centre Manager.

A total of £1000 in prize money will be awarded and awards will include one overall winner, two runners up, an emerging artist prize (Students and recent Bachelor Degree graduates) and a Visitors' Choice Award, voted for by our visitors during the month-long exhibition.

The Ilminster Open Exhibition 2026 is supported by Somerset Art Works, a countywide agency dedicated to developing the visual arts, and sponsored by local firm Branston.

In addition, each winner will be invited to participate in our Prize Winners' Exhibition, to be held during January 2027.

You must complete the entry form, submit your photographs and payment by 6pm on Saturday 16th May.

To enter, please visit: https://www.ilminsterartscentr...