A brief history of Wells Art Contemporary

Wells Art Contemporary, or WAC as it is affectionately known locally, is an international open competition installed annually in the unique spaces of Wells Cathedral. It attracts work and site-specific installations in a wide range of media including painting, sculpture, drawing, photography and film from across the world. WAC was launched over a decade ago to celebrate and support emerging and established professional artists in a time of austerity. It offers an impressive array of monetary, exhibition and professional development prizes and is now one of Britain's leading contemporary exhibitions.

The interaction between medieval cathedral and brand-new art makes WAC unique. “It’s a magnificent venue which of course was once a monumental piece of contemporary art itself" says WAC's Director Paddy O'Hagan. “There is something remarkable in the juxtaposition between contemporary work and this extraordinary medieval backdrop.” The growing importance of site-specific installations in the show each year are testimony to the impact and inspiration provided by its environment. These installations are also hugely popular with the thousands of visitors to the Cathedral who select their favourite work by voting for the annual People’s Prize.

The Cathedral location for the exhibition is important for everyone involved with WAC. “Knowing the powerful and life-enriching impact that visual arts can have, we are passionate about making it really accessible, which includes bringing new art out of the metropolitan centres to rural areas, like Wells” explains Paddy. “Everyone assumes that contemporary art is something for the big cities. But I think WAC is helping to dispel that myth.”