Call for Artists: The Great Torre Abbey Paint Out
- 5 hours ago
- 4 min read
Introduction
Torre Abbey, Torquay Pavilion Creative Engagement Group, and Artizan Collective are seeking ten artists to take part in The Great Torre Abbey Paint Out. Taking place across the 5th and 6th of September 2026, this event marks the final weekend of the Art on Your Doorstep initiative, and will celebrate our local heritage and outdoor creativity.
About the Opportunity
We are looking to commission ten artists to form our Plein Air Artist Trail on Saturday, 5th September. Commissioned artists will paint on location, engaging with audiences about their practice and being a part of the events activity. You will be stationed at key sites along the Art on Your Doorstep route and the Agatha Christie Mile, spanning from Torquay Train Station to Agatha’s Bench, via Torre Abbey and the Pavilion.
Who We're Looking For
We are seeking a diverse range of practices that demonstrate the breadth of plein air and open-air creative processes, from the more traditional association with oil and watercolour, through to digital, urban, printmaking, and other media.
Specifically, we are looking for practitioners who:
Have experience working outdoors on location, OR have experience working in an engaged way with the general public.
Are comfortable actively engaging in conversation with the general public about their practice while they work.
Are available to participate fully in the weekend's events, including joining the Plein Air Art Competition on the second day.
Are able to commit to the opportunity to its fullest extent. This includes continuing with works after the event and providing a minimum of one final work for the legacy exhibitions. (For context, during the previous Paint Out, artists produced an average of three works for the legacy event, alongside their on-the-day sketches and plein air studies).
Fee Details and Benefits
Each commissioned artist will receive a fee of £150.00 plus reasonable travel expenses.
Additionally, all commissioned artists will receive two highly sought after exhibition opportunities: the first in Torre Abbey and the second in Torquay Pavilion.
All commissioned artists will also be invited to participate with no fee in Sunday's Mass Plein Air Art Competition (equivalent of £25).
Key Dates
Item | Date |
Deadline for Entries | August 18th Midday |
Confirmation of Success | August 19th |
Provision of All Events Information (Including bio, setup details, location preference etc.) | August 21st |
Event Date/Time | 5th September 10:30 – 16:00 (setup from 9:30) |
Plein Air Competition | 6th September 10:30 – 16:00 |
Legacy Exhibitions The first legacy exhibition will launch approximately 3 weeks after the event weekend. | Winter 2026/2027 |
Selection Process
We will select artists to create a diverse and engaging event with a focus on different practices, styles and activity. We will also need to see evidence of sufficient experience painting on location and/or engaging with audiences.
How to Apply
If you are interested in filling the role, please complete the below expression of interest and return it to paintout@artizangallery.co.uk by August 18th Midday:
Enquiries Form
Please complete the enquiries form available here. You may additionally provide any other supporting links or files when emailing this form to paintout@artizangallery.co.uk
Terms and Conditions
By applying for this opportunity, you agree to comply with the following expectations and requirements:
1. Legacy Exhibitions and Licensing
Exhibition Participation: Commissioned artists are required to participate in two legacy exhibitions following the event. You must provide a minimum of one finalised work connected to your location and activity during the Paint Out (works may be completed on the day or finished later in the studio).
Print Licensing: To help support the ongoing funding of the programme, artists must licence one work produced for the event as a limited-edition print (50). Proceeds from the sales of these prints will be split 50:50 between the artist and the programme with all sales being managed by Artizan Collective.
2. On-Site Conduct, Setup, and Safety
Setup Approval: Artists must provide a clear and detailed description of their intended equipment and setup prior to the event. All setups must be formally approved by the organisers to ensure they are safe and suitable for public spaces.
Respecting Locations: You will be placed in a variety of public settings across the town and seafront. Artists must respect their specific location. There is absolutely no disposal of paint water, solvents, or materials into bushes, drains, or public spaces.
Protecting the Environment: We understand that some mess is a natural part of the creative process; however, where the use of messy materials is required, artists must take suitable protective steps (e.g., using drop-cloths) to prevent overspray or spills onto pavements, grass, or stonework, where these materials will not be likely to wash away organically or may present an environmental hazard.
Hazardous Materials: The use of any hazardous materials or tools must be explicitly approved by the organisers in advance.
Site Presence: Either you or your designated volunteer assistant must always be present at your painting location during the event hours.
3. Marketing and Promotion
Participation: Commissioned artists will be required to participate in all marketing and promotion in the build-up to, and during, the event, including contributing to press interviews.
Photography: By participating, artists grant the organisers the right to photograph them and their artwork during the event for future marketing, promotional, and social media purposes.
Self-Promotion: Artists are welcome to verbally promote their practice and hand out business cards to audiences. You may also display sketchbooks or examples of your practice to help illustrate your process.
Signage: To prevent litter and maintain the visual aesthetic of the trail, independent flyers, unauthorised banners, and independent signage are strictly prohibited.
4. Logistics and Liability
Liability: The organisers accept no liability for loss, theft, or damage to any artwork, equipment, or personal belongings, nor for any personal injury sustained during the event. Artists participate at their own risk.
Insurance: Artists will be asked to confirm in writing that they hold all relevant public liability insurance for delivering this type of public-facing activity. We additionally highly recommend that you have your own artist’s insurance. Both PLI and artist insurance are available via “Artists Now” membership (https://www.artistsnow.com/)
Compliance: Failure to comply with any of the above rules, terms, or reasonable requests from event staff may result in the termination of your contract.
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