Big Art Show Paisley is on!
BIG ART SHOW, the UK's largest visual arts exhibition, is back in Paisley and this year's show will feature over 1600 works – making it almost double the size of the inaugural show in 2022!
Article Source: Outspoken Arts
Last Updated: 29 August 2023 12:15
Over 2268 works were submitted and 75% have been selected. Organisers are delighted to announce that alongside their massive exhibition space – Gallery 1 on the ground floor and Gallery 2 on the first floor - at The Art Department, they have also secured an additional installation space for film and video in the old Marks and Spencer store on Paisley’s 15-21 High Street. The space will be called RE:MARKS and the programme for that space will feature work which will we hope will create a conversation about the cultural regeneration of the town.
The original Marks and Spencer building was built in 1931 by structural steel work company Moreland, Hayne, and Co. Ltd of Goswell Road in London, who contributed to Britain’s post-war regeneration and were responsible for the construction of buildings such as BBC Bush House, the great edifices of most major daily newspapers in London, many West End stores, and most of the London theatres, using British Steel.
Steven Thomson, Creative Director, Big Art Show, said: “We are to doing our bit to support Paisley’s cultural and physical regeneration. To have such an unusual, industrial art space, we expect this will be of interest, beyond the Big Art Show, to young filmmakers, event organisers and installation artists. This is a great new venue for the local community, generously supported by Beyond Retail. We’re calling the venue RE:MARKS because we believe this exciting new space will be remarkable as a post-industrial art shed. It will open on 31st August – launch night of Big Art Show.”
This year’s Big Art Show exhibition will also benefit from the work of featured artists: Marion Gardyne; Wendy Ferguson; Sandor Nagy and Lucy Jane Dorrian and family. These works will occupy the mall facing and front windows of The Art Department. A series of free creative learning workshops during the Big Art Show have been launched and there has been a call-out for volunteers to help hang the show.
Headline sponsor of this year’s show is Paisley First’s ‘Love Local, Love Paisley’ brand. Prizes of over £4000 have been donated to The Big Art Show:
• The Paisley Shopping Centre prize – Best in Show - £1000
• Paisley First ‘Love Local, Love Paisley’ Prize for best work featuring an aspect of Paisley - £400
• The Art Paisley Prize selected by public visitors on opening night - £500
• Future Paisley Prize for a local artist of merit - £400
• Independent Financial Advice Centre (Glasgow) Ltd Prize - £300
• Clutha Trust Prize for an emerging artist - £250
• One Ren Health and Wellbeing Prizes - £150 and two runners up prizes of £50 each
• Society of Scottish Artists Prize - £200 plus one year’s free membership of Society of Scottish Artists
• The Henderson Property Prize - £200
• Outspoken Arts Prize - £150
• Made in Paisley Prize - £150
• Duais a’ chon mhòir (The Big Dog Prize) for an artist under 25 - £100
• The Sadie Sheppard Memorial Prize for landscape - £100
• Cass Art Prize - £100 gift voucher prize, gift bag, and offer of a 2-week Glasgow exhibition in 2024.
Steven Thomson, Creative Director, Big Art Show, commented: “We’re thrilled at the generosity of all our sponsors, especially in the current financial climate and we’re delighted to be able to offer this selection of prizes to entrants. We’re also delighted to confirm the continued support of Creative Scotland and Renfrewshire Council in supporting the year-round work of The Art Department.”
Elaine Templeton, Vice Chair of Paisley First, said: “Representing our town centre businesses, we are delighted to offer Love Local, Love Paisley support to The Big Art Show. Last year’s event helped demonstrate what a creative town Paisley is, and it was great to see so many members of the local community getting involved. We can’t wait to see what this year’s Big Art Show has to offer.”
Head of Marketing and Communications at Renfrewshire Council and Future Paisley Lead, Louisa Mahon, said: “It’s fantastic that an exhibition the scale of the Big Art Show will be back in Paisley town centre, allowing people the chance to experience the wonderfully diverse range of visual arts that will be on display. Through Future Paisley’s sponsorship of the local artist of merit prize we want to acknowledge and celebrate the wealth of talented creatives in Renfrewshire and provide recognition of their incredible work.”
Alan Crossan, The Clutha Trust, said: “The Big Art Show is an event we are proud to support. Emerging artists need support and events like this to showcase and exhibit their work. It is a privilege for us at the Clutha Trust to support this event”.
Organisers are pleased to announce new support of this year’s show from William Syson Foundation; Hugh Fraser Foundation; Renfrewshire Council Summer Art Camp and Celebrating Renfrewshire Fund. Thanks, are also due to the generous arrangement with Beyond Retail Property Fund Ltd for use of The Art Department within The Paisley Centre. Outspoken Arts Scotland is supported by Creative Scotland, Renfrewshire Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund and Renfrewshire Council as part of Future Paisley’s programme - putting culture at the heart of Paisley and Renfrewshire's regeneration and harnessing the power of culture to support people's lives for the better, by integrating its benefits through key public services such as health and social care, education, and housing.
The BIG ART SHOW will run between September 1st and November 18th, full details can be found at outspokenarts.org/bigartshow/
Sponsored Links
Latest Renfrewshire News
Hostelling Scotland launches appeal for Gen Z board members to help put the youth back into hostelling
THE organisation behind one of Scotland's most historic travel traditions is calling for young people to join its board as it seeks to capitalise on a surge in interest amongst Gen Z travellers.
READ MORE
The Scottish Caravan, Motorhome and Holiday Home Show returns to Glasgow
Here's everything you need to know about the biggest show of its kind in Scotland!
READ MORE
Stellar line up of leaders unite to influence a better future of work in Scotland
Award winning authors, a former SAS soldier, along with HR leaders from Scotland’s top employers are among the speakers for the CIPD Scotland Annual Conference, 2025.
READ MORE
Braehead Shopping Centre celebrates impressive footfall figures in 2024
Braehead Shopping Centre has announced a year of exceptional success reflected in its 2024 performance – showing significant YoY growth in footfall.
READ MORE
Brand new experience to celebrate Mothers Day at Dobbies
This March, Dobbies Garden Centres is offering a new hands-on Mother's Day experience, combining a luxury Afternoon Tea with a seasonal planting workshop.
READ MORE
Free and great value half term activities at Dobbies
Dobbies Garden Centres is offering great value entertainment for families this February half term.
READ MORE
Get Set Go... Entries now open for the Paisley 10k and Fun Run!
The 2025 Paisley 10k and Fun Run will see thousands taking to the streets when the event returns to the town on Sunday 17th August.
READ MORE
itison Us charity call out
itison Us have thousands of free respite experiences available for small Scottish charities.
READ MORE
Pavilion Festival Unveils 2025 Lineup with James, Ewan McVicar, Annie Mac, Ben Hemsley, Happy Mondays and more
Pavilion Festival has today announced the huge lineup for its third year on Ayr Beach with James, Annie Mac, Happy Mondays, Ewan McVicar, Ben Hemsley and more playing live!
READ MORE
Trust launches storm appeal following extensive damage across Scotland
The National Trust for Scotland has launched an appeal to support emergency work needed to deal with the devastating destruction caused by Storm Éowyn.
READ MORE
Galactic Carnival is landing in Glasgow
Scotland’s favourite out-of-this-world event, Galactic Carnival, is preparing to launch in Glasgow this spring, promising an intergalactic adventure packed with thrills!
READ MORE
Funding boost for artificial pitches in Renfrewshire
New artificial sports pitches will be built in Renfrewshire as part of further £800,000 investment by Renfrewshire Council in outdoor sports facilities.
READ MORE
Scottish Caravan, Motorhome and Holiday Home Show launches a mythical map of Scotland with lead Scottish tour company
The biggest show of its kind in Scotland has partnered with Andy The Highlander to create an Enchanted Map of Scotland's most enchanted locations.
READ MORE
Scottish hospitality group serves up new digital loyalty scheme to cut customer bills
Scottish hospitality group, Signature, has launched an innovative new digital loyalty scheme to help cost-conscious customers save money dining out.
READ MORE
Renfrewshire remembers lost loved ones
Renfrewshire’s annual memorial event for those who have lost their lives to suicide was held last week.
READ MORE
Scottish Golf events go LIVE for 2025
Top amateurs and handicap golfers can now sign up for one or more of Scottish Golf's 33 championships in a packed 2025 schedule.
READ MORE
Live Music Now Scotland announces unparalleled new award
Live Music Now Scotland is delighted to announce a funding award of £150,000 from Elizabeth Lornie's Charitable Trust.
READ MORE
Pavilion Festival returns to Ayr Beach with Saturday lineup curated by Ewan McVicar
Pavilion Festival Presents: Ewan McVicar B2B Ben Hemsley, special guest Annie Mac, along with DJ Seinfeld, Sally C, Robert Hood (Floorplan) and more on Saturday 3rd May!
READ MORE
BBC Debate Night returns for 2025
BBC Scotland's topical TV programme Debate Night returns this month and they are searching for people to be part of the big studio audience.
READ MORE
First Look: Mar Hall to reopen in Spring 2025
Spearheaded by independent Glasgow-based design studio, Graven, the renovation will see a complete transformation and expansion of one of Scotland’s most established heritage hotels.
READ MORE
Celebrate Chinese New Year with a roster of blockbusters at Vue venues in Scotland
Vue venues across Scotland will be showcasing a mixture of the latest big screen blockbusters from China as well as an anniversary screening of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
READ MORE
Dobbies free February workshops
Dobbies Garden Centres’ popular Little Seedlings Club and Grow How workshops return for February, inviting gardeners and families to get hands-on at these free sessions.
READ MORE
Pawsome New Year Resolutions remove over 39 million pieces of litter
Dog owners making an environmental New Year Resolution have boosted the ranks of the “PAWS ON PLASTIC’ charity to 27,000.
READ MORE
IRN BRU team up with YO! to offer haggis sushi to reimagine Burns Supper in Glasgow
IRN-BRU and YO! are reimagining Burns Suppers, teaming up to fuse sushi with haggis to help Glaswegians celebrate Scotland's National Day with a 2025 twist.
READ MORE
New community space to be created at the heart of Ferguslie Park
Works are set to get underway to create a new activity and community space within Ferguslie Park.
READ MORE
Border Caravans Announced as Headline Sponsor of the Scottish Caravan, Motorhome and Holiday Home Show
The Scottish Caravan, Motorhome and Holiday Home Show is delighted to announce Border Caravans as the new headline sponsor for this year's event.
READ MORE
Hopeful parents across Glasgow are invited to adoption event
Kibble Adoption, the newly launched service from the children's care charity, is inviting people to join them for an event that highlights the benefits of adoption for both parents and children.
READ MORE
World Gaelic Week unveils largest programme to date
Seachdain na Gàidhlig has unveiled details of its most diverse, ambitious and largest programme to date, bringing together speakers, learners and enthusiasts from across Scotland and beyond.
READ MORE
Stay Active this January at Gravity Active
Don’t let the shorter days and chilly weather get you down this January, stay active and experience boundless fun at Gravity Active!
READ MORE
Strike a PAWse: Brand new Valentine event for dogs at Dobbies
Dobbies is encouraging paw-rents across the UK to show their pooches some love this Valentine's Day at its brand-new dog event that will raise money for national dog welfare charity, Dogs Trust.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links