First prize winner 2023
Roy Best
SECOND prize winner 2023
Julie Lawrence
THE WINNER 2022
MEGAN MCCLEAN
"Amazing Prizes for Deserving Artists"
2023 Prize Winners:
First Place Cash Prize Winner: Roy Best
Second Place Winner – Solo Show at Coles Gallery: Julie Lawrence
The People’s Choice Award Winner: Lauren Carr
Shortlist 2023:
Anji Timlin – Caroline Brown – Heloise Petit – Julie Lawrence – Karina Geddes – Lauren Carr – Fierce Fine Art – Mary Mayne – Roy Best – Weronika Magrini
Longlist 2023:
Angela Mantilla – Anji Timlin – Ashley Ferrari – Caroline Brown – Elizabeth de Broise – Emma Brackenbury – Gareth Bell – Helen Field – Heloise Petit – James Mellor – Jo Cook – J Marc – Julie Lawrence – Karen Maley – Karina Geddes – Kevin Boardman – Lauren Carr – Laurence Pusey – Lina Noueiri – Fierce Fine Art – Lydia Rain – Maggie Thompson – Marie Muravski – Mark Sibbald – Mary Mayne – Mbeke Wase – Michal Raz – Natasha Armstrong – Nelson – Robin Tynan – Roman Vaughan-Williams – Roy Best – Sara Prinsloo – Sofia Lipskerova – Stef Will – Steve Murray – Weronika Magrini – Yangdzom Lama
Meet the Judges
Joss Cole is the founder and owner of Cole’s Gallery, an independent art gallery established in 2019 and located in the historic Leeds Corn Exchange. Cole is a practising artist known for creating expressive watercolour paintings. Works explore conceptual links between literature (poetry), visual art and life.
Sarah Francis is an award winning artist curator. Founder and Curator of Aire Place Studios, Curator for Emergence(y) in collaboration with Ort Gallery and International Curators Forum. Sarah is part of DISrupt collective of disabled artists in Leeds and is a practising artist in mixed media and performance photography.
Megan McClean is a filmmaker and multidisciplinary artist from Derry, Ireland. Since graduating with First-Class Honours in filmmaking specialising in production design, she has worked on several independent productions, while continuing to develop her craft as a painter and an artist. Megan McClean is last year’s winner of Win It! 2022.
Where does a painting begin for you? Can you describe your process?
I am always thinking about paintings. They usually begin within dreams and images or stories I have seen/ heard. I then try to sketch or paint these scenes and find ways of depicting what is happening inside my head. Another process for me, is life. I am constantly looking at how light will fall on someone as they tell a story or even peel an egg. Examining the movement of the person or people around me. My paintings usually involve images of me; however, I do not see myself, I see a subject. I try to ask myself, what is the story and movement? How can I capture my body or face well enough to depict my emotions in that moment. Aside from this, I find great joy in painting, a way that I can completely switch off from the world and let myself be taken over by the object I am creating. I find that my process always changes with each painting. I am definitely searching for new ways to understand my work and furthermore develop my craft.
As a judge on the panel of Win It! 2023 what will you be looking for in the entries submitted to the competition this year?
As a judge I will be looking at technicalities, your process and what is the story behind your piece. Although not everyone will have these elements, I am looking for something that will make me stop in my tracks and stare at your work.
How important do you think awards and competitions are for artists?
Awards and competitions are great ways of meeting new people and putting yourself out into the world. Take a leap of faith and push yourself to apply. Even if you do not win, you will find that you want to look at your art in different ways, find new processes and gain confidence to put your work out more often.
Has winning the competition last year helped your art practice and opened up opportunities for you?
Winning the competition last year has inspired me greatly. I have had the confidence to apply for more awards and expand my understanding of my practice. I was able to purchase new paints and an easel. Furthermore, it has put me a good financial position to make a new exhibition coming up in June.
Do you have any advice for artists out there thinking about entering Win It! Art Prize 2023 this year?
My only advice would be to try. Put your work into the competition and if you do not win, that is ok. Rejections and awards will come in waves but always know you can use this time to meet new people, ask questions and more importantly enjoy creating your work! Teach yourself new ways of looking and creating art. Then from this you can hone in on what inspires you, what is happening in the world around you and so forth. So, apply, enjoy the process of creating your work and always know you can try again.
What are you working on now and where can we see more of your work?
I am currently in the process of developing an exhibition with artist Sarah Hardy. This will take place at Assembly House on June 29th. Alongside this, I am also working on music videos and feature films that will be available for screen in the next year.
Where does a painting begin for you? Can you describe your process?
A lot of the time I am driven by making what I perceive to be purposeful and/or meaningful artwork, I refer to a lot of my practise as Portraits with Purpose. Therefore, when I start a painting I am motivated by the subject matter first and foremost, for example my latest collection of work, titled Breastfeeding the Brave which explores early parenthood with sick babies. In this project I worked closely with the commissioner to choose a variety of families to capture, that help describe their situation, thoughts, and feelings.
I always aim to be realistic but making sure to acknowledge the work is a painting and not a photograph, I do this by revealing layers of paint, cheeky undertones and obvious mark making. A lot of care and attention goes into each painting until I am totally satisfied with the results.
My submission to Win It was a self-portrait. It was a painting I needed get out of my system, although this notion is hard to describe. I had previously taken a photograph because the strong directional sunlight cast an interesting shadow, I then used this photograph as a reference for the painting.
What attracted you to Win It! 2022 Art Prize?
I was attracted to Win It as the gallery/creative space had a great ethos.
How did you find the application process?
It was also really easy to apply, the process was simple too.
How important do you think awards and competitions are for artists today?
Awards and competitions are good for artists as they are a great way of getting your work seen in a physical space and on social media. Hopefully they had a knock-on effect on sales.
Has winning the People’s Choice Award last year helped your art practice and opened up opportunities for you?
It gave me a good confidence boost for sure.
Do you have any advice for artists out there thinking about entering Win It! Art Prize 2023 this year?
Definitely enter – it’s easy and inexpensive.
What are you working on now and where can we see more of your work?
I am working on a few commissions at the moment. I also have 2 big projects coming up, which I have to keep under wraps for now, but they are both a series of meaningful Portraits with Purpose which I feel very excited by.
I have 2 lots of artwork in exhibition right now too, Breastfeeding the Brave in Bishop Auckland Castle and The Missing Women in Bishop Auckland Town Hall, until the end of May.
KEY DATES:
Application Deadline: 7th July 2023
Successful Applications Notified: 21st July 2023
Delivery of Artworks: 24th and 25th August 2023
Exhibition Opens: 1st September 2023
Opening Event & Prize Winner Announced: 1st September 2023 (6:30pm – 9:30pm)
Exhibition Closes: 29th September
Collection of Unsold Works: 4th and 5th October 2023
What is the fee?
We charge a non-refundable fee of £15 per artwork, limited to 6 artworks.
How can I pay this fee?
You can pay using PayPal or Card. When you have completed the application form there will be a link which will direct you to the payment page.
Can I submit multiple pieces?
Yes, you can submit up to six artworks.
Do I have to pay a fee?
Yes, everyone has to pay the fee for entering Win it! This fee covers the cost of the prizes, hanging, curating, and advertising the show. It pays for the staff needed to put on this exhibition. Unfortunately, no one is exempt.
Who can apply?
This opportunity is open to any artist over the age of 18 who holds a UK Bank Account.
What type of work can I submit?
We are looking for artists creatives working with any medium (painting, sculpture, ceramic, photography, performance, video art, animation, film, documentaries, poetry, writing).
There is no theme.
I took part last year. Can I reapply?
Yes, you can. We only ask that you enter a different artwork from the previous year.
What are this year’s prizes?
The winner of the Judge’s selection in 2023 will receive a prize of £300, and the first runner-up will be awarded a solo exhibition at Cole’s Gallery. The winner of the People’s Choice award will receive an APS Associate Membership worth £45.
Who are this year’s judges?
Win it! 2023 will be judged by a mix of diverse artists, curators and industry professionals: Sarah Francis, Joss Cole and Megan McClean
What is the judging process?
Judging: Stage 1 (online)
Our selectors will make a pre-selection on the basis of the images submitted. The image of the work must represent actual work(s) entered. The work shown must be available, if shortlisted, for the exhibition itself. During this stage, the judging panel will view all the online images entered. An artist’s signature that is part of the work is permitted. As a result of this process, the panel will shortlist up to 40 works that will progress through to stage 2.
Stage 2 (final selection)
In this stage, the judges will view each work individually and will select the prize winners (except for the People’s Choice Prize, which will be based on online voting by the public).
Does 2D artwork need to be framed?
Yes. All artworks need to be able to be hooked onto our gallery hanging system. Framing your artwork is the best way to protect your artwork especially if it is a delicate drawing or painting on paper. You can find out more about our hanging system here: https://www.aireplacestudios.com/tips-for-exhibitions/
Canvases on a stretcher do not need to be framed as long as they are strung on the back.
We also have a frame hire service, please email for details.
Can my work be for sale?
Yes, your artwork can be for sale.
Please note Aire Place Studios take a 25% commission on any sales.
If you would prefer your artwork not to be for sale, then please write NFS on your application form.
Is there a size limit?
Artists are invited to submit artworks in any size not exceeding 125cm x 125cm. This includes 2D and 3D artworks.
What if I cannot make the drop off or collection dates?
Unfortunately, we cannot accept the artworks outside of the drop off and collection dates. However, you can arrange for someone else to drop off or collect the work on behalf or arrange a courier.
If you do not collect your work on the specified dates your work will be destroyed.
GET YOUR ARTWORK SEEN
Aire Place Studios presents Win it! 2023, our annual art prize and exhibition – winning, selling, and showcasing talent! Open to all living British and international artists based in the UK, above the age of 18.
The winner of the Judge’s selection will receive a prize of £300, and the first runner-up will be awarded a solo exhibition at Cole’s Gallery. The winner of the People’s Choice award will receive an APS Associate Membership worth £45.
At Aire Place Studios we hope to reflect the creativity and diversity of artists in our gallery show, as well as providing an important opportunity for artists to exhibit their work to the public. This exhibition aims to bring together fantastic works from local, regional, and national artists. Our intention is to broaden the public perception of Art. There is no theme to this exhibition and all art mediums will be considered.
We charge a fee of £15 per work, with a maximum submission of 6 pieces. Win it! 2023 will be judged by a mix of diverse artists, curators and industry professionals.