Glynn Vivian Art Gallery’s annual Swansea Open has officially opened for 2026, celebrating the creativity of artists living and working across the city.
This year’s exhibition attracted a record number of entries, with 400 participants responding to the annual open call.
The Swansea Open brings together work from professional and non-professional artists across a wide range of media, including painting, drawing, sculpture, printing, photography, textiles and multimedia.
Works for the exhibition were chosen by this year’s invited selectors, internationally recognised artist and Course Director of Fine Art at Swansea UWTSD, Sue Williams, and Head of Art for Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales, Ceri Jones.
The selectors also awarded this year’s prizes, with Angela James taking First Prize for Still Life with Oranges.
Sandie Welch received Second Prize for Tea with Mrs Jones, while Ivor Sloan was awarded Third Prize for What’s New Pussycat?
Colin Barfoot’s Welsh Gothic (Mr and Mrs Pugh) was Highly Commended, while Jessica Cooper’s Market Day was selected as a Friends of the Glynn Vivian Pick.
Glynn Vivian Curator, Karen MacKinnon said”It’s always really lovely when our annual exhibition Swansea Open arrives. It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the wealth of creativity and talent our city has to offer. We encourage entries from all; including professional and amateur artists, students, craftspeople, makers of all kinds from all over Swansea. It also offers an opportunity to get your work seen by our invited selectors and the large audience it attracts.”
Councillor, Elliott King said, “This exhibition is always a significant moment in the city’s cultural calendar, celebrating the creativity, talent and ambition of artists and makers from across Swansea. The Council is proud to support the Glynn Vivian as one of the city’s most important cultural institutions, and to recognise the role it plays in opening up access to art, supporting local talent and strengthening Swansea’s cultural life.”
The Swansea Open will run until Sunday, September 20, with many of the artworks included in the exhibition available to purchase.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to have their say by voting for their favourite piece in the People’s Choice Award.
Glynn Vivian at Night will take place on August 27, offering an evening celebrating the gallery’s summer shows.
