This celebration of the arts community encourages artists of all backgrounds – amateur, professional, established, new to the islands, students, older artists – to create and show their work, with a commission going to Guernsey Arts so it can continue its work.
‘This is our sixth year and we’ve received our most-ever entries – more that 130 artworks,’ said GA’s partnership development executive, Louise Le Pelley.
‘We have oils, watercolours, acrylics, pencil work, prosthetics, ceramics, pen and ink, photography, pyrography, surfboards, MDF and resin work, digital, lino printing, textiles, calligraphy and prayer flags – virtually all mediums.
‘As part of our overall strategy – promote, support and inspire – we help people at a higher level to reach their full potential and encourage them to be creative. Art is essential for mental health and it’s for the whole community.’
In September last year Guernsey Arts took over the lease and management of the George Crossan Gallery.
‘We’re now fully booked up until the end of 2026,’ said Louise. ‘The space is perfect for community groups – we’ve already held exhibitions by Drink & Draw, Fox Art, the St Peter Port Sketch Club and Bailiwick Social Prescribing.
‘Everyone who shows a piece of work in the Guernsey Arts Open is brought together in a show book, a physical book, which is a great legacy for all who have taken part. And for organisations, galleries and other artists wanting to find out about them, we point them to the show book.’
Jared Fox, GA’s visual design and communications coordinator curated the exhibition.
‘After three years of doing this you develop a sense of how much can fit in what space and where,’ he explained. ‘It’s a bit daunting, especially when it comes to the big ones.
‘It’s a tricky balance to give all the pieces the place they deserve. Size and shape is a massive part of it. If a piece is lower down the wall than others, it’s not because it is of any less value, it’s because that’s a better spot for it to sit in.
‘It’s really good to show off all these diverse mediums and sit them together and make a cohesive exhibition.’
Jared’s pleased with the rising number of entries.
‘132 is the most we’ve ever had. It keeps increasing but there’s still a very, very high standard of work. And the diversity is amazing. It’s great to give a space to so many talented people who might not get their own exhibition.’
The Guernsey Arts Open Exhibition is at the George Crossan Gallery, Market Buildings, until Wednesday 31 December. Opening times are 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday.
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