Griffin Gallery Open

The Griffin Gallery Open is operated by ColArt International Holdings Ltd (“ColArt”), The Studio Building, 21 Evesham Street, London, W11 4AJ, England.

The Artist

The competition is open to any artist over the age of 18 on 1^st March 2015 whose work is based in painting or drawing. Employees (and their families) of ColArt and anyone connected with the competition are not eligible.

The Works

Works eligible for the Winsor & Newton painting prize should be substantially based in oil, watercolour, gouache or ink media.

Works eligible for the Liquitex painting prize should be substantially based in acrylic media.

Works eligible for the Conté à Paris drawing prize should be substantially based in dry media.

Whilst there is a degree of flexibility in these criteria ColArt retains the right to refuse works that do not conform to these general conditions.

All works should not exceed 180cm x 180cm in dimensions.

Submission process

All applicants will be required to complete an application. This comprises:

• a completed application form
• 1 jpeg image of each work submitted. These should be no larger than 1 mb each.
• An entry fee of ₤10 per work payable by credit or debit card securely processed by Stripe. Use your full name for reference on payments.
• Artists may submit between 1 and 3 works for each of the 3 prizes.

By submitting an application, the entrant promises that all of the information in the application is correct. The entrant also promises to comply with these rules and any other competition requirements specified by ColArt (whether on its website or otherwise) and ColArt reserves the right to exclude any entry which in its opinion does not comply.

All applications must be made digitally at www.griffingallery.co.uk/open

No hard copy applications will be accepted. Proof of submission is not proof of receipt.  Applications plus payment must be received by the closing date specified. No responsibility can be accepted for entries which are incomplete, delayed, damaged, wrongly delivered or not received for whatever reason.

The works must be entirely the entrant’s original idea and creation and they must not infringe someone else’s copyright or other intellectual property rights. The submission must be lawful, it must not be offensive, obscene, racist, insulting, discriminating or otherwise objectionable and it must not contain any form of advertising.

Entrants grant ColArt the unrestricted right (without royalty) to reproduce images of submitted artworks in any publication in connection with the Griffin Gallery Open.

The jury’s decision is final. If ColArt is unable to contact any short-listed artist or winner via the email address supplied by the entrant, the short-list position / prize lapses and ColArt reserves the right to select alternative winners.

Shortlisted artists

Shortlisted artists will be contacted directly on Friday 26^th June by email. Short listed artists must deliver their works to the Griffin Gallery on either Sunday 12^th July or Monday 13^th July 2015 from 10 am to 6 pm.

Delivery of work to and from the Griffin Gallery is the responsibility of the artists. All work should be delivered unwrapped. Any framing or mounting of works is the responsibility of the artist and must be carried out prior to delivery. Works on paper must be framed and include ‘D’ ring attachments and/or split batons. Works not requiring framing or mounting must be suitably protected to avoid damage in transit and clear instructions should be given on how to present the works. Griffin Gallery can recommend art carriers on request.

Griffin Gallery Open will only consider work from shortlisted artists that was in the initial digital submission.

Works not selected for exhibition must be collected from the Griffin Gallery on Friday 17^th or Saturday 18^th July 2015.

Work submitted to the Griffin Gallery Open must be available for exhibition and sale by Griffin Gallery from 13^th July 2015 to 21^st August 2015.

Works selected for exhibition that remain unsold must be collected from the Griffin Gallery on Sunday 23rd or Monday 24^th August 2015

The return of works is the responsibility of the artists. Griffin Gallery reserves the right to dispose of any works that have not been collected by the artists within 3 months of the collection date.

Shortlisted artists from overseas

The delivery cost of the work to and from the Griffin Gallery is the responsibility of the artist and the artist shall be responsible for any import custom charges and duties. Framing or mounting of works, if required for exhibition, is also the responsibility of the artist and must be carried out prior to delivery. Works on paper must be framed. Works not requiring framing or mounting must be suitably protected to avoid damage in transit and clear instructions should be given as to how the work could be presented.

Value Added Tax (VAT) may be levied at the port of entry in the UK, and ColArt must not be listed as importer of the work. The artist agrees to indemnify ColArt for any charges or taxes incurred by it as a result of the importing of the work for the purposes of display in the Griffin Gallery Open exhibition. It is recommended that work be consigned through an accredited agent for delivery. Artists are required to ensure that their agents are fully aware of these terms and conditions of entry. Useful contacts include: HMRC information on VAT and UK entry procedures may be obtained from HMRC (telephone + 44 (0) 845 010 9000).  Open Monday to Friday 8.00 am to 6.00 pm (GMT); www.hmrc.gov.uk).

The return of work after the exhibition is also the responsibility of the artists, including any custom charges and duties. The organisers will endeavour to retain packaging for overseas work.  Artists should clearly mark their packaging with their name. If the work has not been collected by the artists or the artist’s representative within 3 months of the collection date, ColArt reserves the right to dispose of all the work from the exhibition in any manner that they see fit.  

The Prizes

The winners’ prizes will take the form of a cheque for £1,000 and a sales catalogue for the fine art materials brands, Winsor & Newton, Liquitex and Conté à Paris. The winner may order materials up to the value of £3,000 RRP from this catalogue. The total value of the prize does not have to be met in one order and the winner may receive their art materials prize in several instalments, to be completed within a period of 3 years.

As well as cash and art materials, the winner of each prize can expect to be showcased on the website, social media and other outlets of the relevant brand.

Sale of works

Works selected for exhibition must be available for sale. ColArt will take a  40%  (plus VAT) commission on all works sold during the exhibitions or afterwards directly as a result of the Griffin Gallery Open both at the exhibition and on the website. Artists must make sure that their sale price includes the commission and, if applicable, VAT. Artists who are registered for VAT must ensure that they include their VAT number on the Entry Form. 

Limits of liability

Whilst ColArt shall use reasonable skill in all circumstances in handling artists’ works, occasional damage to works may occur. ColArt shall have no liability whatsoever for any loss, damage or destruction (including loss of profits or any other consequential loss, indirect or incidental losses) to, or relating to, a work of art submitted for exhibition unless such loss arises as a direct result of negligence by ColArt. ColArt’s total liability for damage to a work of art arising in connection with these conditions of entry (whether from negligence, breach of contract or otherwise) shall not exceed the lower of the value of the work of art as stated on the Entry Form (if provided) or the value as determined by an independent valuer selected by ColArt.

It is recommended that the exhibiting artists insure with a reputable insurance company their works of art for their market value.

In all matters arising in connection with the competition, ColArt’s decision shall be final.

ColArt reserves the right to cancel this competition or alter these rules if it considers that it has good reason to do so.

These rules are governed by English law and any disputes will be decided only by the courts of the United Kingdom.

Marketing information

By entering this competition, all entrants agree to receive marketing information from the Griffin Gallery and supporting brands, namely, Winsor & Newton, Liquitex and Conté à Paris. This will include our monthly newsletter Painting Matters and other relevant information, such as competitions and other offers.