Suffolk Showcase

14 June – 19 July

Suffolk Showcase, our annual open submission exhibition, returns to Bury St Edmunds Art Gallery this Summer with what promises to be another fine display of high quality visual art and craft from both established and emerging artists.

The exhibition features a wide range of traditional and new media; painting and ceramics sit alongside digital photography and video in an eclectic summary of Suffolk’s current artistic climate. All artists and makers aged over 16, and living or working in Suffolk were invited to submit artwork for the 2008 exhibition which, as always, is selected by a panel of independent judges. This year the panel included: Sonia Carvill, Art journalist for the East Anglian Daily Times and a freelance writer; Jonathan Keep, Suffolk-based Artist Potter; Helen Thorn, Assistant Officer for Visual Arts and Literature at Arts Council England, East; and Caroline Wright, Visual Artist.

Suffolk Showcase Artist Award

At the preview of Suffolk Showcase, Natalie Stoten was presented with the award for the best work submitted by the Worshipful the Mayor of St Edmundsbury, Councillor Bob Cockle.

The work, entitled Kiss, Embrace, Goodbye, is a videotape sequence featuring tender moments as a young couple part at a railway station. Natalie, who creates in film and photography, says “this work is based on the playful extension of the last moment of closeness that occurs before separation”.  It is one of two entered for the exhibition and both contribute to her success.

Natalie describes her work as “a collaboration of many things. Primarily a record of journals and life experience”.   She also thrives “on covering autobiographical issues and subject matter, which conjoins recollection and the capturing and recreation of memory”.

The prestigious award is equivalent to £1,000.  It enables the recipient to create exciting new work.  She will develop a close relationship with the Gallery and receive professional support from it, with a fee and budget for materials and expenses. 

Her entry was chosen from a record 320 entries from 134 Suffolk artists. 68 works have been selected representing 45 artists. The panel of judges remarked on the very high standard of entries this year.

The majority of artworks exhibited in Suffolk Showcase are for sale. So, if you’re a collector, or simply looking to purchase high quality visual art and craft, visit the show to spot some of the brightest talent in the county.

Suffolk Showcase 2008 PDF