An artist from Frome has been shortlisted in an international open art competition organised by Wells Art Contemporary (WAC). The multi-media, open competition results in an exhibition and prizes for outstanding contributions and this year the team are delighted that local artists, including Joella Wheatley from Frome, are among the shortlisted candidates.

A distinguished panel selected 91 pieces of work from over 3,500 entries by 1,800 artists from around the world for an exclusive exhibition which is accessible online from Monday 2nd August. This complements the physical exhibition which returns to Wells Cathedral from Saturday 28 August until Sunday 26 September consisting of around 90 items in the cloisters and 29 installations throughout the Cathedral .

Joella said: "The Wells Contemporary has always been a highly regarded exhibition to be shown at, given the high standard of works that have previously been selected. I'm therefore thrilled and honoured to be joining this year's show and can't wait to see all the other pieces curated together, along with my painting 'Embody' that should sit beautifully within Wells Cathedral's atmospheric interior."

A substantial grant of £15,000 has been secured from Arts Council England and, this year, the free exhibition will also coincide with the installation of a new Antony Gormley work that will be exhibited on the West Front of Wells Cathedral.

Paddy O'Hagan, Chair of WAC, said: "Wells will become a must-visit destination for visual art lovers from August of this year with both the shortlisted WAC candidates on display and the new Gormley work installed on the Cathedral's West Front. Great visual art is about starting conversations; pushing boundaries and provoking debate - and that's what this collaboration with this great Gothic Cathedral has the potential to do."

The prizes for this year's competition include a top cash prize of £2,000; the opportunity to be showcased online by a Central London gallery and a free two-week placement at the NG Art Creative Residency in Eygalieres, Provence.

For further information, visit www.wellsartcontemporary.co.uk