Young Artist Open Exhibition

You may have heard of the Ferens Open Exhibition, but did you know we also run a Young Artist Open?

The Young Artist Open is an opportunity for budding artists aged 15 and under to show their work in a major gallery.

In 2024 the Ferens Art Gallery will celebrate 20 years of the Young Artist Open exhibition. The exhibition, previously known as the Junior Open, has been held annually and celebrates the creative talent of young people in Hull and the surrounding area.

How does it work?

The exhibition begins with an open call early in the year, with entry forms available from 23 March, inviting individuals, schools and youth groups to send us their best work.

We will do our best to show all the artworks, but if we have too many the Ferens Art Gallery will make a final selection.

The exhibition itself takes place later in the year, between June and September at the same time as the adult Open.

It is free to enter an artwork into the Young Artist Open Exhibition. 

To enter the Young Artist Open Exhibition as an individual, school or youth group you must meet the following entry requirements -

• be aged 15 and under on the final date of submission - Sunday 21 April 2024
• artwork submitted should be on paper or card, in a variety of media such as – paint, pastel, ink and  collage
• artworks must not be framed or on a canvas
• artwork must be no smaller than A4 size (210 x 297mm) and no larger than A2 size (420 x 594mm)
• only submit original artwork as photographs or photocopies are not accepted
• Individuals may only submit one two-dimensional piece of artwork.

If you are a school or youth group, you may submit a maximum of 30 pieces of artwork. Schools are welcome to submit artwork that has been created by more than one pupil such as a class entry.

All accepted artwork is attached to the wall using Velcro.

You must attach a completed entry form available from Ferens Art Gallery or online to the back of your artwork telling us your -

• name
• age
• title of the work
• email address
• School name (only if submitting from a school)

Guidelines

Please make sure you access the guidance document below and follow the process for submitting your artwork. We cannot accept responsibility for misunderstandings due to document instructions not being followed correctly.

Please contact youngartistopen@hcandl.co.uk for any enquiries.

All submissions are in the running to win prizes in each of the age categories. Prizes have kindly been donated by Friends of the Ferens and The Hull and East Riding branch of The Arts Society and are awarded to the best entries in the following three categories -

• six and under
• seven to 11
• 12 to 15

There will also be a special 20th Anniversary prize awarded this year.

Winners will be contacted in advance of the exhibition opening to inform them of their success, and will be invited to a prize giving event.

Who can enter?

Any child aged 15 and under can enter. Entry can be as an individual, or as part of a school or youth group.

How many works can I enter?

Each child can enter a single 2D artwork. Works should be on paper or card, and can be in a variety of media, e.g. paint, pastel, ink, collage. No framed or canvas works will be accepted. All works will be attached to the wall using Velcro, so please ensure that they are not too heavy. Works should be no smaller than A4 size (210 x 297mm) and no larger than A2 size (420 x 594mm). NB: schools may submit 30 x artworks maximum. Schools are welcome to submit artwork(s) created by more than one pupil, i.e. a class entry.

How do I submit an artwork?

Deliver your work to Ferens Art Gallery in person or by post between Friday 12 – Sunday 21 April 2024 inclusive (opening hours: Monday-Saturday 10am-4.30pm; Sunday 11am-4pm). We cannot accept entries before or after these dates. Please remember to complete your entry form. Please write neatly using block capitals. Then attach the label to the back of the artwork. Entry forms, if not enclosed with this leaflet, are available from Ferens Art Gallery or online when submissions open.

How will I know if my work has been selected?

You will receive notification by email from Friday 24 May. We aim to show as many entries as possible, however, if we have too many, we will have to make a final selection. Submissions from schools will be ensured a minimum of one artwork. Please note we can’t accept photographs or photocopies of artwork; only original artworks will be accepted.

When can I collect my work?

Unselected works must be collected on Friday 21 & Saturday 22 June 2024 from Ferens Art Gallery. Entries sent by post can be returned to you by post providing you included a selfaddressed stamped envelope with your submission. Accepted works cannot be removed before the close of the exhibition and must be collected between Monday 7 – Sunday 13 October 2024 from Ferens Art Gallery. Postal entries must include a self-addressed stamped envelope for returns. Please bring your notification of selection email with you as proof of your identity. If your work has been submitted by your school, please contact your school directly to confirm collection arrangements. Ferens Art Gallery reserves the right to dispose of any works not collected by Sunday 13 October 2024.

Keep up with all the latest from the Ferens Open 2024 on social media

Twitter/X @HullFerens
Instagram @ferensartgallery
Facebook www.facebook.com/ferensartgallery
Hashtag #FerensOpen