Artistic milestones in August, young talent and a free workshop invitation

Posted on Sep 01, 2025

Woman in Art Prize 2025 Finalist, Sculpture Category.

August has been such an amazing month professionally for me, with both my portrait and equine sculptures selected for two International Open Art Prizes.

Born to be seen. A colourful woman is selected as one of the 6 finalists for the Sculpture category for the prestigious Women In Art Prize 2025, now in its 8th year.

I must admit that the surprise of the morning email left me utterly shocked and emotional. My voice faltered, and a tear welled up in my eyes as I took in the enormity of it all, and eventually phoned my daughter to convey the amazing news. It still hasn’t really sunk in!

The Women in Art Prize is now in its 8th year. The prize is open annually to all emerging women artists that are sculptors, painters, photographers, illustrators & printmakers that live and working in the UK. A prize is also awarded for one overseas artist to highlight International talent, of which there are many, including Sharon Stone the artist, art lover and former actress is among the international finalists. There are several sponsored awards across the different categories, ages and heritage to embrace diversity and inclusivity, with prizes ranging from exhibition opportunities and mentoring to magazine features and artist residencies.

Women in Art Prize Exhibition. All our finalist entries will be exhibited at Women In Art Gallery, 69 York Street, Marylebone, London, W1H 1QD from 16th until 24th September.

Awards Ceremony results. Judging will commence before the WIA Awards Ceremony at The British Library Piggott Theatre on 17th September, and all finalists and the winning artists celebrate at the after party. It truely is an honour to be part of this incredible event and Women in Art legacy.

So looking forward to meeting all the other incredible artists and those who have flown in for the awards, the Women In Art team, judges, sponsors and Gabrielle du Plooy, driving force behind the Women in Art Prize.

It would be wonderful if you could join us at the WIA PRIZE exhibition for drinks on Saturday 2oth September from 2-4pm and see all the winning entries, including International artists, Sculpture, photography, print and painting. Exhibition runs until 24th September.

RBSA Watercolour Prize. Poised-Highly Commended

Delighted that all three of my equine sculptures, Poised, Forward, and In The Flow, were selected alongside International open call artists for the first RBSA Watercolour Prize for over a decade, and the only sculptures selected for the exhibition. It was such a vibrant and busy Private view, and I was honoured to receive a highly commended award for Poised, and the only sculpture being exhibited.

The show was selected and judged by Chris Myers PPRI RBA, Glenn Ibbitson VPRWSW RBSA, and Lesley Samms. All prizes sponsored by the Birmingham Watercolour Society.

Exhibition ends: Saturday 13 September 5.00 pm. RBSA Gallery 4 Brook St, Birmingham B3 1SA

First Prize: Daniel Lopez. San Vincente de la Barquera, Wonderful atmosphere, technique and granulation.

Second Prize: Lawrence Green ARBSA. Morning Light Over Tintagel Head
Third prize: Gabrielle Roberts-Dalton RBSA. Woman and the Last Egg – Hagitude Series

RBSA Young Artists Prize

First ever Young Artists prize hosted by the RBSA and what a wonderful celebration of young peoples art. Having their art displayed on the gallery walls and almost 260 people coming to celebrate the Prize givings is such a rewarding experience to young artists of all age groups. All participants were awarded a certificate to commemerate their achievement, and prizes were kindly sponsored by Cass Art. The winners in both the 4 – 6 and 7 – 10 age groups were also awarded a copy of Ruth Millington’s wonderful children’s book This Book Will Make You An Artist.

Stryx Gallery in the Jewellery Quarter continued the exhibition to allow all entries to be on view to the public in a gallery space.

Highly Commended:

Jomai Inness Tiger Prowling And Growling. Eliana Ejanavi Sloth In The Trees. Jashvita Santhosh Season Of Light. Sinachi Ogbonna Countryside View. Eva Maria Bains-Patel We All Bleed The Same Colour. Aliza Bhatti Remembering Anya. Felicity Barnfield Lost In Space. Yara Wajha Asset No. 1: Human.

Such an great display of young talent and future prospect which can be seen:

RBSA Gallery 26-23rd August. Stryx Gallery 27th -30th August.

Clay experience day gifts

Such wonderful results from inexperienced enthusiastic budding sculptors!

Had a lovely morning delivering a clay experience gift to three lovely young ladies on this family workshop morning. The sun was shining and bunnies and horse head emerged. Once the clay has dried out they will be bisque fired and glazes choosen and applied to decorate the sculptures. Looking forward to this follow up session and how the budding artists will decide to colour and texture their work.

To enquire about group workshop, family, friends or individual clay sculpture sessions please email to discuss your requirements. https://gwendajonessculpture.co.uk/contact/

Walsall Makersfest Workshop Sculpt, Snap, Share.

Delighted to be asked to join The Makers’ Workshop at Walsall Town Hall with my SculptSnap, Share workshop, with a full day of free, drop in hands-on experience with clay as part of Walsall MakerFest 2025. All activities are completely free and suitable for all ages, so please come and join me and my love of clay and create!

The Makers’ Workshop is hosted by Urban Hax CIC and I am looking forward to being part of this vibrant event, now in its second year.

Walsall MakerFest is a vibrant celebration of the creativity and talent found throughout Walsall and the Black Country. It plays a key role in making Walsall a place where communities thrive and residents feel proud to belong. 

The second Walsall MakerFest will take place on 13 September 2025 in Walsall town centre, with Fringe events taking place throughout the year. 

The festival is delivered by Walsall Council in partnership with local non-profit Urban Hax, The New Art Gallery Walsall, and Walsall Cultural Compact. It has been supported by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)’s Cultural Development Fund: Round Three through Arts Council England. 

In August I will be Exhibiting my sculptures at:

RBSA Watercolour Prize Exhibition.  4 Brook St, Birmingham B3 1SA. 7th August Saturday 13 September 5.00 pm

Hanbury Hall Long Gallery, National Trust, School Road, Hanbury, Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire, WR9 7EA. All fired up. MPA

Exterior and Garden sculptures, including Noble Mariner and War Horse, at the wonderful Worcestershire National Trust Property, Hanbury Hall, Long Gallery, off the delightful grounds, with “All fired up” Midlands Potters Association from 9th August to 25th August 10.00 am -4.30 pm. Worth a visit for children’s activities in the grounds, cafe, Parklands and House.

Looking forward to sharing my experiences at Women In Art Prize Awards and exhibition in September and the people and creations from my Walsall Makers Fest workshop, Sculpt,Snap, Share. Wish me luck!

For current video content and reels please visit my instagam account below:

https://www.instagram.com/gwenda_jones_sculpture