The Surrey Artist of the Year 2023 competition at the New Ashgate Gallery in Farnham opened with a private view on September 22.

There was an introduction by the mayor of Farnham, Cllr Alan Earwaker, and a talk by last year’s winner Jane Browne.

This competition is a partnership between the gallery and Surrey Artists Open Studios to celebrate the wealth of creative talent in Surrey.

Starting in 2009, this aspirational exhibition offers a collective of local quality art and craft as voted for by the public during open studio visits. The top-scoring artists come together for a programme of events.

The shortlisted artists are Caroline Bond, Barbara Bradshaw, Sinéad Fox, Georgie Gardiner, Annabel Hocking, Christine Hopkins, Diana King, Joanna Lloyd, Julie Matthews, Faye Mayo, Peg Morris, Lucy Dorothy Nichols, Julie Patton, Sue Ransley, Sarah Rawlins, Sue Roche, Alison Saunders and Sonya Vine.

During the exhibition, until midday on October 27, members of the public are being encouraged to vote for an artist. The artist with the most votes from the public and the judging panel will be named Surrey Artist of the Year 2023.

The winner will receive a bursary of £1,000, will follow in the footsteps of Jane Browne by having a solo show at the New Ashgate Gallery, and will have a winner’s stand at the Surrey Art Fair. 

The winner and runners-up also receive £25 Loxley art supplies vouchers.