Article Source: Outspoken Arts
Last Updated: 12 July 2024 10:23
Image: CONNECTED By Ashley Cook
This year there were 2,108 entries, the Selection Process was supported by the Directors of Art Paisley Ltd – Rowena Comrie, Eòghann MacColl and Maureen Rocksmoore - and the show will feature just over 1,600 artworks by 586 artists. This year’s submissions include artworks in all mediums with an increase in entries for drawing, textiles and prints for this year – reflecting current trends. Most of the works selected are paintings; the show also features mixed media, photography and prints; ceramics, film and digital, installation, metalwork and textiles.
Launched in 2022, the first edition of the Big Art Show featured nearly 1,000 artworks from all over the UK, as well as artwork from Europe and Asia. In 2023, there were 1,712 entries and £42,500 worth of artworks were sold.
For the 2024 show, we are also delighted to announce a larger programme of Featured Artists including Ann Vance, Ashley Cook, Caroline Gormley, Justine Lynch, Paul Marshall, Mark Mulholland and Erinclare Scrutton. Two leading Paisley artists – Ann and Caroline; Glasgow School of Art graduates, Erinclare and Ashley; Edinburgh College of Art graduate, Mark Mulholland, runner up in 2023’s Scottish Portrait Artist of the Year; and two emerging artists from our workshop programme – Justine and Paul. These artists will show up to 12 artworks each and this will form a core part of this year’s show. The show will open on 30th August, 5pm with a launch party and prize giving, featuring a jazz band to entertain attendees.
Commenting on the strength of this year’s Big Art Show, principal selectors, Rowena Comrie and Eòghann MacColl, said: “Continuing to be a part of the Big Art Show, selecting artworks from over 2000 entries, reveals a fascinating diversity of creative skills and imaginative images. This unique exhibition will once again offer valuable exposure for artists from far afield and nearby."
“Being part of the movement and participating is such a valued part of the Big Art Show. This can be tricky given the numbers of submissions and the amount of work we see submitted. We hope you enjoy the exhibition and see the varied and wide backgrounds the artists are coming from. The future plans are exciting, and these are built on a solid foundation of hard work and dedication towards giving everyone a place to feel included and free to express themselves all set in the heart of Paisley from where it radiates across Scotland and beyond!”
Steven Thomson, Creative Director, Big Art Show, commented: “We can’t quite believe we’re in our third year of the show – it’s gained so much momentum and truly established itself as a landmark event for Paisley’s cultural calendar. The reward of the Big Art Show is that almost 75% of submissions are chosen, unlike some other similar shows in the UK. The show is inclusive and representative, and we’re invested in providing not only an important health and wellbeing focus for the local community, but also a celebration of freedom of expression which is so important in these turbulent times.”
Running alongside the Big Art Show, The Art Department will offer a 3-month long creative learning workshop programme. Over the past 3 years these workshops have helped participants take part in making art and each participant has benefited from the experience. The workshops will be led by established artists Ann Vance, Eòghann MacColl, Iona Kewney, Karen Hanvidge, Lilja Husmo, Lucy Jane Dorrian and Marion Gardyne. The workshops are all free of charge and cover painting and drawing, mixed media, textiles, glass and ceramics. They are available to book through Eventbrite – https://outspokenarts.eventbrite.com
For the Big Art Show organisers have secured £3k in prizes for this year’s edition, which will be awarded at the launch party on Friday 30th August. Prizes for this year are as follows:
1. The Art Paisley Prize – top prize for best in show £500
2. Future Paisley Prize for a local artist of merit £400
3. Independent Financial Advice Centre (Glasgow) Limited Prize £300
4. Clutha Trust Prize for an emerging artist - £250
5. One Ren Health and Wellbeing Prizes - £150
6. One Ren Health and Wellbeing Prizes – two runners-up prizes - £50
7. Society of Scottish Artists Prize - £200 plus one year’s free membership of SSA
8. The Hazlitt Apartments Prize - £200
9. Made in Paisley Prize - £200
10. Cass Art Prize - £150
11. The Carolyn Kyle-Chittick Pretty in Pink Prize £150
12. Outspoken Arts Scotland Prize for Digital work - £100
13. Duais a’ mhòir (The Big Dog Prize) for an artist under 25 - £100
14. The Sadie Sheppard Memorial Prize for landscape £100
15. The Mill Magazine Prize - £100
Outspoken Arts are pleased to announce support for its year-round work from Bank of Scotland Foundation, Paisley First, William Syson Foundation and Hugh Fraser Foundation. Outspoken Arts Scotland is supported by Creative Scotland, Renfrewshire Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund and Renfrewshire Council as part of Future Paisley’s programme - putting culture at the heart of Paisley and Renfrewshire's regeneration and harnessing the power of culture to support people's lives for the better.
Greene King pubs is raising the spirits of Scotland's hardest workers this festive season, hosting 'The Big Christmas Shift' across 700 pubs nationwide, giving away 30,000 meals on Monday 1st December
READ MORE
From wreath-making workshops through to New Year’s Eve street parties, here's a rounded up some of the best events to help make the most of the season with loved ones in a fun and creative way.
READ MORE
Kai Reesu’s ‘KOMPROMAT vol.i’ was tonight announced as winner of The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award, as the country’s national music prize Ceremony took place in Dundee’s Caird Hall.
READ MORE
A stellar lineup of nominees has been announced for the Scottish Jazz Awards 2025, showcasing the exceptional talent flourishing across Scotland's vibrant jazz scene.
READ MORE
SCOTTISH rugby fans have been called upon to cast their vote for the greatest ever Murrayfield rugby moment as part of celebrations marking the national stadium’s centenary.
READ MORE
Scotland's biggest Christmas drive-in returns: 11 days of Elf, Home Alone & more at Loch Lomond Shores!
READ MORE
First Bus is offering free travel for all veterans and UK Armed Forces personnel travelling to Remembrance Day activities of Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day.
READ MORE
Scotland's favourite beer, Tennent's Lager, has unveiled the world's first ever Square Wurst - a Scottish classic with a German twist - to mark the launch of Tennent's Bavarian Pilsner.
READ MORE
Concert by Candlelight, Scottish Ensemble's celebrated long-running winter tour, returns for eight awe-inspiring performances in intimate settings around Scotland this December.
READ MORE
Dobbies is encouraging customers to come along to their nearest store and to be the first to shop exclusive Black Friday offers at its late-night shopping event, in aid of Alzheimer's Research UK.
READ MORE
Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection have launched new offerings designed to inspire cosy autumn getaways and early festive escapes across Scotland.
READ MORE
Nominations are open for the highly anticipated Scottish Excellence Awards 2026, a celebration of Scotland's hospitality, foodservice and tourism sectors.
READ MORE
Spooky season descended on Paisley at the weekend as thousands of visitors turned out for the annual Halloween Festival!
READ MORE
Dobbies is hosting a free-to-attend monthly gardening workshop on Sunday 2 November, for children across the country to discover how they can encourage winter birds into the garden.
READ MORE
Celebrated traditional music and Gaelic arts charity, Fèis Phàislig, has announced details of a major anniversary concert to mark ten years of providing cultural opportunities for young people.
READ MORE
Paisley Halloween Festival is back at its spooky best as thousands of visitors attended the first night of the festival.
READ MORE
The winners of the latest Beat the Street challenge in Renfrewshire have now been announced!
READ MORE
Judges in the Scotland Loves Local Awards awarded the title after being impressed by the critical point reached in the town's 'resurgence' amid unprecedented investment in its future.
READ MORE
The public are urged to take part in the Scottish Government's consultation on planning laws, warning that the changes could put the country's live music venues and pubs at risk.
READ MORE
Scotland's leading retail and leisure destination, Braehead Shopping Centre, is delighted to announce the arrival of Snowflake Gelato.
READ MORE
Free and low-cost screenings showcase Horror, Heritage, and Homegrown Talent selected by local curators and young people.
READ MORE
Families are in for a spook-tacular surprise this Halloween, as Aldi is transforming part of its Renfrew store into a pop-up Pumpkin Patch on Saturday 25th October.
READ MORE
Paisley Halloween Festival will return this weekend with a packed programme to fright and delight visitors!
READ MORE
The shortlisted titles for this year’s Saltires, Scotland’s National Book Awards, were announced at Blackwell’s bookshop in Edinburgh.
READ MORE
The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award has unveiled the 10 Shortlisted albums now in the running for 2025’s title and £20,000 prize, as well as five Sound of Young Scotland finalists.
READ MORE
Scotland's scariest convention is heading to Renfrewshire for a two-day Halloween spectacular!
READ MORE
Renfrewshire's Provost, Lorraine Cameron is once again inviting children of primary school age to design a Christmas card for 2025.
READ MORE
Grab some Buddie Good Deals in Paisley town centre from Saturday 11th October until Saturday 25th October.
READ MORE
There's loads to see and do – from pet friendly days out to breakfast with dinosaurs, loch tours and much more!
READ MORE
Scotland's largest wedding showcase, The Scottish Wedding Show, returns to Glasgow this weekend, ready to welcome thousands of couples from across the country looking to plan their dream day!
READ MORE