ArtWaves returns for 2020

Bridlington Spa is once again hosting ArtWaves Festival for its sixth consecutive year in May 2020. The popular ArtWaves Fringe will begin on Monday 25 May culminating in a weekend of festival activity on Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 May.

ArtWaves will showcase a mix of traditional, digital, contemporary and urban art in a programme which has been thoughtfully considered, both for those artists with existing experience and those budding artists wanting to try a new experience.

Plans for the 2020 festival are well underway, securing a line-up of favorites from previous years alongside a mix of new artists as well as all the added extras such as the art market, hands on workshops and interactive sessions. The full programme is set for release early 2020 with the first wave of bookable workshops set for release later this year.

ArtWaves Festival Director, Lauren Frost said, ‘"We had great feedback from the 2019 festival and our collaboration with local businesses on things such as the ‘Visual Art Bird Trail’ and the art gallery tour so we want to build on that for 2020 as well as expanding the event along the promenade and across the town so ArtWaves continues to grow in both a literal and an opportunistic sense."

Alongside the release of the new dates the Open Exhibition is returning. The exhibition is open to all, allowing artists far and wide to submit their best work on a multitude of themes or subjects that will be judged on artistic quality and appeal before being displayed in what is set to be a highly popular diverse exhibition.

The 2019 winner of the Judges Choice award, David Dawson said, “I was thrilled to have been awarded this prize. The whole event has been an amazing experience for me. To receive such an accolade is truly wonderful.”

The festival will be offering cash prizes of more than £1000 to the winners alongside sponsored prizes from art companies who are showing their support for the exhibition.

Alex Crutchley, Destinations Facilities Manager said, “The Open Exhibition remains a favourite of the festival, giving artists from the region and beyond the opportunity to submit their artworks and showcase their artistic talents. We want ArtWaves to be a fully inclusive festival and this highlights just one of the ways it can be done."

For those who wish to spectate rather than participate, selected artwork will be housed in the Bridlington Spa Gallery for the duration of the ArtWaves Fringe and festival weekend.

All entry information is available on the festival website, artwaves.co.uk. The closing date for entries into the exhibition is 1 May 2020.