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Based in Wells, Somerset, the annual WAC exhibition is a highlight of the city’s cultural life.

The WAC exhibition will take place in October 2025.

WAC allows UK and international artists to put their work before a prestigious panel of judges. Selected entries are exhibited in the remarkable Gothic spaces of Wells Cathedral and seen by up to 50,000 people annually. They are automatically entered for a wide range of awards, including cash prizes, a residency, mentoring and more. Work may be offered for sale.

WAC is open to all artists over the age of 18 working around the world in all media and styles.

THE INSTALLATION SHOW

Wells Cathedral is known as one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Europe. Its interior has wide, high, uncluttered spaces, monumental scissor arches, a fan-vaulted octagonal Chapter House and some of the finest medieval stained glass in the country. On the Cathedral’s South side is a quadrangle of stone-vaulted, medieval cloisters adjacent to the Camery Garden. This is a quiet, contemplative open space with a view of the famous springs from which Wells takes its name.

The Installation Show offers a unique opportunity for artists to create a site-specific artwork for Wells Cathedral. Artists are encouraged to draw inspiration from the Cathedral’s unique building and spirituality, and to be bold and imaginative in their proposals. They can suggest a specific installation site anywhere within the Cathedral boundary, including the Chapter House, and its two outside spaces: the Camery Garden and the Palm Courtyard.

The 2024 Installation Show will be selected by:

• Cathy De Monchaux, Turner Prize shortlisted sculptor, whose work can be displayed in collections across the globe and numerous public commissions
• Laura Moffat, Director of Art and Christianity and Editor of its quarterly journal

The deadline to enter is the 1st July 2025, 5pm.

AWARDS

Artists taking part in Wells Art Contemporary 2025 – both the Gallery Show and the Installation Show – will be entered to win a wide range of prizes:

• Howden Art Award: £2,000 awarded to one artist selected by Howden Group.
• NG Art Creative Residency Award: a two-week placement at the NG Art Creative Residency & Gallery in Provence, South of France, including board and lodging, studio space, mentorship and outings.
• JGM Gallery Prize: works by selected artists will be showcased online by JGM Gallery.
• Student Prize: £1,000 awarded to a current fine art student aged under 26 by Tracey Grace.
• Parker Harris Mentoring Prize:  a one-to-one mentoring session covering all aspects of professional development to a selected artist.
• Somerset Art Works Prize: a one-to-one mentoring session with Somerset Art Works.
• People’s Choice Prize: £500 awarded to one artist selected by visitors of the exhibition.
• St Cuthberts Mill Award: 20 sheets of Saunders Waterford 300gsm worth over £120.

HOW TO ENTER

Entry is made online:

• Artists can enter Installation Proposals here, until 1st July 2025 by 5pm

All artists, all styles, all techniques and all nationalities are encouraged to take part.

Up to 4 works or proposals for installations may be entered in any medium for either the Gallery Show, the Installation Show, or both. Media include painting, sculpture, drawing, printmaking, photography, installation, video, textile, ceramic, mixed media and more. Installation artists are encouraged to visit or view Wells Cathedral beforehand to inform their proposal

To enter the Installation Show: https://artopps.co.uk/opportunities/wacsite-specificinstallations2025