6th July
2009
09/139
Winner illustrates why you should enter West Lancashire
Open Exhibition
Last year’s ‘People’s Prize’ winner is urging artists to take
part in the 2009 West Lancashire Open Exhibition following her own
creative successes.
Ormskirk-based illustrator Angie Thompson won the 2008 accolade
after visitors to the gallery declared her beautifully painted
pencil and wash portrait of her teenage daughter ‘Hannah’ reading
their favourite. Hundreds of people voted for the piece of work
they liked best but Angie’s large-scale painting was by far the
most popular.
As a result Angie will be exhibiting at Chapel Gallery and it
will be the first time she has shown her works in this type of
professional setting.
Angie said: “I was extremely surprised and delighted when I
heard that I had won the People’s Prize. I love doing portraits,
particularly of children. My own children have posed for me many
times for portraits and illustrations from a very young age. The
one of Hannah that I submitted captures her so well because she’s
always got her nose in a book and it was great to know that so many
people liked this painting.
“The ‘People’s Prize’ is a Show Case exhibition at the Gallery
in January 2010, which is a very exciting opportunity for me. I’m a
professional illustrator, I teach at the gallery and run a variety
of workshops and projects in schools around the North West but I’m
hoping that the exhibition will lead to more portrait work as it’s
something I really enjoy doing.
“If anybody is thinking of entering this year’s Open Exhibition
I’d say don’t hesitate, because you never know what will come out
of it and you won’t know unless you try!”
The West Lancashire Open Exhibition will take place at Chapel
Gallery from 25th July to 9th September 2009. The idea behind it is
to acknowledge ambitious amateurs, accomplished students,
professional artists and those with a creative flair who have been
chosen to show their artwork to the public.
To enter, applicants must be over 18 years of age and can submit
two original pieces of artwork to be viewed by the selection panel.
All media entered will be considered, from paintings, printmaking,
three-dimensional work and photography to sculpture and
textiles.
For a chance to exhibit, make sure you pick up an application
form from the gallery to allow you to enter your works for possible
inclusion. The dates for submitting work are Friday 10th July and
Saturday 11th July, between 10.30am and 4.30pm.
The prizes are for 1st prize, £800, 2nd is £400 and third £200,
with commendations also awarded. The other category is the Peoples
Prize, where residents who visit the gallery are invited to vote
for their favourite works. The winner is then given the opportunity
of exhibiting at the gallery and is awarded a £150 exhibition
fee.
Councillor Andrew Fowler, Portfolio Holder for Community
Services, said:
“It’s great to see that Angie is using her chance to exhibit as
an opportunity to further her career and I’m sure she’ll do well as
she is already a well known face in the local art community.
“This is a prime example of how the Open is a unique opportunity
for anyone with creative talents to exhibit their work. For those
with little experience it can develop confidence and for the more
experienced it can even catapult careers in the world of art - so
hurry and get a form to submit your work!”
For an application form, please contact the Chapel Gallery on
01695 571328. Alternatively, pop into the gallery, St Helens Road,
which is open from 10am to 4.30pm, Tuesday to Saturday.
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