Bath Open Art Prize 2026

Exhibition 16 - 31 October 2026 at 44AD artspace, BA1 1NN

Organised by Fringe Arts Bath, this open call welcomes all Visual Artists, at any stage of their career, from across the globe.

Now in its 14th year, the Bath Open Art Prize showcases artworks across all genres and mediums; including video, painting, photography, textile, digital, print and 3D. Small installations and performance are also considered.

An exhibition of works selected by 2026 judges Simbah Pilé and Jemma Hickman will take place at 44AD artspace in Bath, UK from 16 to 31 October 2026.

The judges will not only be considering the quality of the works, but also FaB's more open and less formal approach to visual arts.

submission deadline has passed: Sun 13 September 2026

Selected Artists

Prizes & sponsors

the judges

important dates

Selected Artists:

Adele Dark

Alex le May

Alice Oliver

Anna Mud

Ash Xu

Austin Tase

Bairun Chen

Blandine Martin

Brenda Miller

Carola van Dyke

Caroline Burgess

Carrie Grainger

Carrie Osborne

Cecile Johnson Soliz

Ceris Dyfi Jones

Daniella Mills

Dario Agati

David Dixon

Deanna de Roche

Diane Parker

Ece Batur

Em Williams

Fanzhi Wei

Gabrielle Christen

Isobel Litten

Jessie Zhai

Jessica Wright

Jo Thorne

Jon Paul Green

Joseph Kopiel

Julia Kashdan-Brown

Katarina Orolinova

Katherine Kennedy

Lauren Moss

Liz Cholmondeley

Lorraine Bowley

Lorraine Robbins

Luke Teale

Madeleine Iyengar

Maïté Marque

Martha Freud

Merlin Goldman

Michael Pell

Minxu Li

Miracle

Mung Bean Atelier

Nadia Ryzhakova

Natalia Titova

Nigel Goldsmith

Patrick Shanahan

Paula Ortega

Paulina Chilarska

Peishen Liang

perry harris

Qinnan Zhu

Ray Rankine

Saki

Sam Stead

Sarah Moloney

Shirley Sharp

Sophia Ponte

Sung Jin Kim

Tess McMillan

Tilly Trevitt

Tingting Xiao

Toulie

Una Lo

Valentina Dorronsoro

Wendy Greaves

William Rounce

Ying Zhu

Meet the Judges:

Simbah Pilé, Artist

Simbah Pilé is an award winning, multi-disciplinary Barbadian visual artist based in the city of Bath. Through her creative practice, she examines the relationship between botany, colonialism and identity. Utilising a process of research and material exploration, she collages sourced imagery with drawn and painted elements to create artworks that speak to how the complex nature of history and science impact identity.

Simbah Pilé has exhibited across Africa, Europe and the Caribbean, and was selected for the 44AD artspace 'Solo Exhibition Opportunity' for her work featured in the Bath Open Art Prize 2025.

Simbah brings the eye of a practising artist to this judging role, someone who knows first-hand the research, risk and rigour behind a finished piece, and who will judge with that same depth of attention.

simbahpile.com
Insta @simbahculture

Simbah Pilé

Alesi Seei, Simbah Pilé (2025)

Journey to Pilfer, Simbah Pilé (2025)

Sacra Diadem, Simbah Pilé

Jemma Hickman, Gallerist and Curator

Jemma Hickman founded Bo Lee Gallery in Bath in 2009, aged just 25, and has spent nearly two decades building in into one of the South West's most distinctive contemporary art spaces, now based in Bruton.

Working together with Artists to form a genuine trusting connection from first studio visit through to international art fairs, Jemma has spent her career championing artists at the very start of their journey. She is also Co-Founder of Odette, a Somerset network for women in the creative industries.

Jemma brings the perspective of someone who has spent twenty years backing artists from the other side of the gallery wall to her judging role, spotting talent early and giving it room to grow.

boleegallery.com
insta @boleegallery
insta @jemma.hickman