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Bringing artistic talent from around the country to Guildford

Black framed piece being viewed by gallery guest

Held in partnership with leading visual arts consultancy Parker Harris, this year's Guildford House Open competition attracted nearly 1,500 entries, with 81 works selected for the final shortlist now on display. Featuring both 2D and 3D artworks, the exhibition includes paintings, sculptures, drawings, photography, print, and mixed media.

Cllr Tom Hunt, Lead Councillor for Commercial Services, says:

"We are thrilled to be working with Parker Harris once again to bring an exciting range of artistic talent from around the country right into the heart of Guildford. It is great to see this competition going from strength to strength, offering residents and visitors the chance to enjoy a diverse range of artwork for free, in the beautiful setting of Guildford House Gallery."

Last Thursday, the winner of this year's competition was announced as Rebecca Holton for her striking painting, Hanging Out. Highly Commended distinctions were also awarded to Richard Groom and Bahareh Khomeiri for their exceptional work.

The judging panel included some of the UK's most respected figures in the art world:

  • Kelvin Okafor, multi-award-winning artist renowned for his hyper-realistic drawings
  • Mary Branson, acclaimed artist and creator of the New Dawn sculpture in the Houses of Parliament
  • Lizzie Collins, strategic art consultant, curator and founding director of Zuleika Gallery
  • Sarah Leary, Collections and Exhibitions Manager, Guildford Borough Council

Marine Costello, Partner at Parker Harris says:

"The Guildford House Open exhibition showcases some of the most exciting art made in the UK today. It's a fantastic opportunity to see a wide range of work - from painting to printmaking, sculpture, drawing and more. There's always something new to discover. And with works available to buy, the good news is... if you fall in love with a work, you can take it home."

As part of the prize, the winning artist will receive a solo exhibition at Guildford House Gallery providing an exciting platform to further showcase their work in the summer of 2026.

The Guildford House Open 2025 exhibition will run until Saturday 28 February 2026. Guildford House Gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 4.30pm, with last entry to galleries at 4pm, and entry is free.

You can find out more about Guildford House Gallery on our website. 

Published on 10 December 2025.