Birkenhead’s Williamson Art Gallery & Museum is proud to host the launch of the New Light Prize exhibition 23/24.
Established in 2010, the New Light charity celebrates and promotes Northern art, supporting both well-known and emerging artists by offering some of the region’s best awards and opportunities with the biennial New Light Prize Exhibition. It provides Northern artists with an unparalleled platform to showcase their work and reach new audiences.
The 2023 New Light Prize Exhibition Tour which covers five galleries, visiting four counties and London, begins at the Williamson, with judging taking place just prior to the exhibition’s opening. A panel of industry experts comprising of Olivia Heron, Curator at the Whitworth Gallery, Manchester, Nan Perell, New York Collector and supporter of emerging British artists, Matthew Hall, Director of London gallery Panter & Hall, renowned figurative artist Mark Demsteader, and Director of New Light, Rebekah Tadd, will shortlist artworks for the £10,000 Valeria Sykes Award, judging Royal Academicians alongside emerging artists.
Williamson Curator Niall Hodson says that “we are delighted to host and launch the New Light Prize Exhibition 2023/24. We want to be able to support the creative economy and the viability of artistic careers in the North West and beyond. It will provide economic benefit for the artists and opportunities to embrace new talent”.
Two free public events will take place during the exhibition’s run as part of Art For All, New Light’s education and outreach programme. On Saturday 14th October 2-3pm Art Historian Sara Riccardi will lead a free tour & talk of the exhibition. Then on the evening of Friday 3rd November join former New Light prize winning artist Josie Jenkins to use paint and print to create your own beautiful interiors inspired artwork.
Following the Williamson Art Gallery and Museum the New Light Prize Exhibition will then tour to London’s Bankside Gallery, The Gallery at Rheged in Penrith, The Biscuit Factory, Newcastle and finish at The Mercer Art Gallery in Harrogate on 31st December 2024.