(23 June – 31 July 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 of Somerset 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.