Report by Faye Claridge, web producer
The Coventry Open is the highlight of the year for local artists, who compete for a winning prize of 拢1000.
| 听 |  | The audience at the Coventry Open 2003
|
This year its organisers, the Herbert Art Gallery, received more entries than ever before in what everyone seems to be describing as a wave of creativity.
The judges were meant to choose only 50 wall-based works but the quality was so high they stretched the number so more works could be included in the show.
In the end they selected 83 works from a staggering total of 493 entries.
Online gallery
See some of the work, the artists and the crowds of supporters at the gallery by clicking the images button below.
A euphoric occasion
The buzz around the show's opening was overwhelmingly positive as everyone was impressed by the quality of the exhibition and the number of its supporters.
For the first time in a while I felt like the redevelopment in the city centre (directly affecting the Herbert) was also changing local attitudes.
Everyone I spoke to had real pride in the work on show and in the city that was home to the artists.
It was a euphoric occasion and one that seemed to mark a development in the city's creative self-image.
The competition
| 听 |  | Enjoying the artworks
|
The competition is held by the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum every two years.
Entry is open to artists over 18 working in any medium who live in an area with a CV postcode, or have connections with Coventry.
So, competition is fierce for the limited places in the public exhibition.
Work is selected by a panel of judges who also award a main winning prize of 拢1000 and select a piece to purchase.
 About 300 of the works submitted could easily have gone into the exhibition. The standard was really very high.
 | 听 | Hardish Virk from the judging panel
|
The three judges for this year鈥檚 exhibition were Lucy Bell, Fay Todd and Hardish Virk, all of whom have a broad experience of the arts.
Fay Todd told me the task of judging was difficult but enjoyable.
She said: 鈥淭he quality and the amount of work submitted was amazing. Selecting it was very difficult. But all three of us [the judges] agreed on the winner, it was the one that stuck in all of our minds the most.鈥
Hardish Virk agreed the quantity of good work was exceptional. He said: 鈥淎bout 300 of the works submitted could easily have gone into the exhibition. The standard was really very high.
"The others were more in the process of becoming good works, they weren鈥檛 quite developed, but even they are to be encouraged.鈥
The overall winner
| 听 |  | The winner Kathryn Lowries with her painting
|
Kathryn Lowries won the main prize of 拢1000 for her watercolour illustration called Man.
Kathryn had never shown any work at the Herbert before and was really pleased to be there.
She told me: 鈥淚 was ecstatic to have won鈥t鈥檚 the first time I鈥檝e entered anything into the open. It鈥檚 good to see the show is so varied and totally open to every style because I enjoy showing work in quite traditional and mixed exhibitions.鈥
The purchase prize winner
I only submitted the work because everyone I know encouraged me to, I wouldn鈥檛 have had the confidence otherwise.
| 听 | Purchase prize winner Lisa Gunn
|
The judges chose to award the purchase prize to Lisa Gunn for her work titled Victoria.
The piece has now been purchased by the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum to become part of their permanent visual arts collection.
Lisa was still shocked when I spoke to her. She said: 鈥淚 only submitted the work because everyone I know encouraged me to, I wouldn鈥檛 have had the confidence otherwise.
| 听 |  | Lisa Gunn with her work the Herbert has purchased
|
"I was amazed when they chose to buy my work, I think it鈥檚 wonderful that it touches other people because it鈥檚 a very personal subject matter. I actually feel very emotional about other people being interested in it.鈥
Lisa is also organising a solo exhibition that will be at the Herbert in September 2004, so we鈥檒l get a chance to see more of her work soon.
Your vote
The Herbert also awards a visitors' choice prize which you can vote for. Just go to the exhibition and pick your favourite artwork.
The artist that receives the most votes will win the chance to have a solo exhibition at the gallery.
See the show
The fifith Coventry Open is on at the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum until 30 December 2003.
Entrance is free and the opening hours are Monday to Saturday 10am 鈥 5.30pm. Sunday 12 noon to 5.00pm.
Follow the links on the left for more information on visiting the building and on its current redevelopment.
Showcasing local talent
To see more work by local talented artists, follow the profiles index link on the left. There you will find online galleries and information about lots of the area's artists and writers.
If you would like your work to be considered for a feature, please get in touch with us using the contact details on the right.
| 
