Mental illness is a consistent theme amongst highly creative people and artists are no exception. To raise the profile of emotional health within the arts world and to raise funds for Samaritans, the Young Ambassadors are pleased to announce that the inaugural Grieve+Samaritans Art Prize is now open for submissions. The prize is sponsored by the Alan and Karen Grieve Charitable Trust and is supported by Christie’s.
All artists are invited to submit works which relate directly or indirectly to one of the following Samaritans themes:-
- Communication and openness
- Feelings and emotions
- Depression and recovery from depression
- Loneliness, distress or despair
The organizers welcome submissions that demonstrate any interpretation of the above, whether they be innovative, abstract or traditional.
A short list of 15 – 20 works will be selected by the panel of judges to be chaired by Ed Vaizey MP, Shadow Minister for Culture, and to include Anthony McNerney, Director of Post-War and Contemporary Art at Christie’s, and Camilla D’Arcy-Irvine of the Jerwood Foundation.
Short listed works will be exhibited and auctioned at an Awards Reception at the House of Commons on Wednesday 13th June 2007. The proceeds of the sale of the short listed works will be divided equally between the artist and Samaritans. All short listed artists will be invited to the Awards Reception and the winner of the £2,000 first prize will be announced during the evening. Each of two runners up will receive £1,000.
The Awards Reception will be attended by a wide range of high profile individuals from Parliament and from the art community, as well as a significant number of Young Ambassadors and supporters of Samaritans.
To enter the competition, artists must complete the Entry Form at www.samaritrans.org/artprize . The deadline for submissions is 18th May 2007 and there is a nominal entry fee of £15 per entry. The works may be in any format but must not require any additional equipment for display e.g. AV equipment.
For more information about the prize or the exhibitions, please contact: charlotte@youngambassadors.org.uk
