For the past three years, Washington Green has opened its doors in a Willy Wonka fashion to the most innovative artistic talent across all mediums.
This has been a turning point in the publisher’s 30 year history, and a focussed search for the most vibrant unsigned artists. The ‘golden ticket’ being the opportunity to feature in a group Summer Exhibition at the prestigious Castle Fine Art, International Convention Centre, Birmingham as well as a chance to become a published artist with Washington Green and Castle Galleries. of Paris by displaying artwork from up and coming artists alongside established names and inviting the public to view works in an influential setting. The result is always diverse and colourful, with success stories from artists such as Robert Oxley and Scarlett Raven who have gone on to have fruitful careers with us. At the Salons of Paris, an artist needed to be received by the Académie by first submitting an artwork to the panel; similarly Washington Green invite artists to submit their portfolio of work for review before being accepted for the Summer Exhibition. However, the aim of Washington Green was always The IN:SIGHT Summer Exhibition takes influence from the Salons
to remove the bureaucracy relating to patronage and awards and the hierarchical nature of gallery submission - instead favouring inclusion and supporting contemporary art, whilst maintaining the fantastic standard of work Washington Green is so proud to represent. IN:SIGHT was felt to be a vital venture for Washington Green with recent funding cuts to the arts. Arts institutions and individuals have felt the pinch of investment reductions, and competitive challenges have increased for artists to procure new audiences. Whilst many saw the funding cuts having a negative impact on the production of the arts, Washington Green saw an opportunity to represent artists’ work without public money and government agendas. The IN:SIGHT Summer Exhibition has allowed the artists involved to be exposed to a diverse audience with strategic press and marketing support. In 2015, Washington Green consciously decided to move the Summer Exhibition from Castle Fine Art, Mayfair to Castle Fine Art in the ICC, Birmingham.
With such a heavy arts focus on London, it felt important to have strong representation of nationwide talent in a cultural hub outside of London. With Birmingham being a city to watch, our founding location and the site of our head offices, it has become the perfect home for the summer exhibition. We also encourage engagement from clients and the public by opening the gallery and inviting visitors to a ‘meet the artists’ event during the exhibition. This is a truly immersive day with opportunities to meet with participating artists, staff members and Washington Green’s Directors. We experience a fantastic mix of visitors from art buyers, families, tourists and curious passers-by. Beth McCarthy, Gallery Director at the ICC says: “The Summer Exhibition is such a pleasure for myself and the
82 FINE ART COLLECTOR AUTUMN 2016
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