Artists from across Hertfordshire are invited to submit their work for a new major group exhibition.

Hertfordshire Open 2020 is part of Hertfordshire Year of Culture 2020. It is organised by St Albans Museum + Gallery in partnership with UHArts, the University of Hertfordshire’s arts and cultural programme. The exhibition aims to bring a rich selection of artistic ideas and approaches to the centre of St Albans. Applications are welcome from practicing artists – individuals and collectives – working in any medium, with a strong connection to Hertfordshire.

The exhibition, at St Albans Museums + Gallery from April 4 to June 21 next year, will take place in the prestigious Weston Gallery and will be a key event in the 2020 programme.

Watford Observer:

The call for entries is now open and submissions will be accepted until 5pm on Friday, November 29. Applications can be made online at http://www.uharts.co.uk/whats-on/2019-autumn-and-winter/hertfordshire-open-2020 and artworks will be selected from digital images. Up to three artworks per artist may be submitted.

Shortlisting and judging will take place in December. All artworks will be selected by an independent panel of judges. The panel will include:

• Maurice Davies, former Head of Collections at the Royal Academy of Arts, London.

• Phil Healey, Dean of the School of Creative Arts at the University of Hertfordshire and previously Head of the Department of Visual Arts and Design at Middlesex University.

• Annabel Lucas, Head of UHArts (University of Hertfordshire) with over 20 years’ experience of programming, curating, commissioning contemporary and modern visual art.

• Liz West, a British artist whose broad body of work includes site-specific installations, sculpture and wall-based artworks. She has exhibited her work across the world in both solo and group exhibitions and studied at Glasgow School of Art graduating in 2007.

As well as the opportunity to have their work displayed in the museum and gallery, a selection of additional prizes will be awarded to artists.

Prizes include a solo exhibition in the Keeper’s Galleries at St Albans Museum + Gallery from December 2020 – February 2021. Additional prizes will be awarded by sponsors of the exhibition.

Watford Observer:

Curator Sarah Keeling said: “Art of exceptional quality is being created in Hertfordshire and St Albans Museum + Gallery is committed to offering opportunities for local artists to display their works. We encourage all local artists to participate in this exhibition which will showcase the very best of our local art.”

Annabel Lucas, Head of UHArts, said: “The Hertfordshire Open will be a fantastic opportunity to welcome and celebrate practicing artists with a connection to our wonderful county. We hope to fill the beautiful Weston Gallery with a rich diversity of artwork. UHArts is delighted to be collaborating with St Museum + Gallery to showcase this creative talent as part of Hertfordshire Year of Culture 2020.”

For more information visit uharts.co.uk