Hastings Open 2020 - a vibrant exhibition of local and international talent at Hastings Museum

Hastings Museum & Art Galley returns with their post-lockdown exhibition, celebrating some of the region's best artistic talent, alongside national and international work.

Despite being delayed because of COVID-19 'Hastings Open 2020' will launch when the museum reopens on the 27 August 2020 and will run until 3 January 2021. The exhibition features 91 artworks including painting, photography, sculpture, printmaking, embroidery, ceramics and video. The artwork was selected by a panel of judges consisting of artist-maker Ellen Prebble, Kate Adams CEO of Project Art Works, Patrick Jones of Project 78 Gallery, Kenton Lowe of blackShed Gallery and Ben Urban curator of Flatland Project.

The inaugural Hastings Open prize was awarded to Monika Veriopoulus for her charcoal work, 'In the Wind'. The judges were impressed by the depth of the work and subtle layers within it. The prize includes a research residency at Hastings Museum & Art Gallery and solo exhibition at blackShed Gallery in 2021.

Councillor Colin Fitzgerald, lead cabinet member for Regeneration, Culture and Tourism said,

"Hastings Open 2020 is a captivating exhibition that reflects Hastings Museum & Art Gallery's ongoing commitment to supporting local artists, by creating opportunities for established and emerging talent to showcase their work.

"We would like to extend our thanks to the selection panel and museum curators for all of their help in bringing this exhibition together."

Kate Adams, artist and CEO of Project Art Works said,

"During this extraordinary period of contagion and Black Lives Matter, the process of looking at and making decisions about 100s of artworks, all of which were created in another time and place was both challenging and hopeful. It was a strange, slightly disembodied experience - being so removed from detailed knowledge of any of the artists and just responding to work after work ranging in intent, medium, content, aesthetic, and so on.

"What was interesting was the way in which the whole began to determine decisions about individual works and how they interacted with the evolving 'collection' as it became more concentrated."

Patrick Jones, Project 78 Gallery added,

"I think that the eclectic nature of the Hastings Open is a great way to follow on from last year's Tom Hunter exhibition in attracting a new audience. Hastings museum is our museum and we should use it more!''
Kenton Lowe, blackShed Gallery said,

"I have been delighted to be involved in this project, and there has never been a greater need to support the cultural and creative sector.

"With a rise in popularity of artists emerging from the south east of England, over the last 10 years the blackShed has provided a varied programme of exhibitions. I wanted to broaden our experience by collaborating with other partners, whilst we explore working with artists in other ways. The Museum has great heritage and I am very excited to work with the winning artist on their solo show at the blackShed next year."

Ben Urban, artist and curator, Flatland Project explained,

"It has been extremely exciting to be able to gain a perspective of the breadth of creative practice that Hastings Museum has brought together through the open call. Hastings has a history of needing."

A number of artworks will be available for purchase, with the sales of these benefiting both the artists and the museum. To manage the number of people in the museum, all visitors will need to book a free, timed ticket in advance. Tickets are available online up to 14 days in advance on www.hmag.org.uk. If visitors do not have access to the internet, they can book by phone on 01424 451052.