Pallant House Gallery and the Chichester Observer are backing the new event which is being masterminded by artist Annie Timothy and her husband, actor Christopher Timothy.

Last year Annie and Christopher organised a starry fundraising gala at Chichester Festival Theatre in aid of the hospice.

This year they are launching the open art competition in the hope it will become an annual event, not simply to raise cash but also to raise awareness of the work the hospice does.

"St Wilfrid's Hospice needs £4.3m a year to run and the government contributes only ten per cent," said Annie, who lives just outside Chichester.

The competition is open to all UK residents and will have three categories – professional, amateur and under-18.

Annie is particularly delighted to have secured artist Jack Vettriano as one of the four judges who will select a first, second and third and up to 30 highly-commended works which will make up an exhibition at Pallant House Studio Gallery as the prize.

Mr Vettriano said: "I have had many invitations to be on a judging panel for an art competition but I've nearly always declined because I haven't felt qualified to do the job, being self-taught.

"But as the years have gone by my confidence has grown and I've come to realise everyone is entitled to an opinion and is able to make their own judgment about art."

The other judges are Wayne Hemmingway, Pallant House director Stefan Van Raay and Jean Jackson.

All entries must be received by February 28, and the exhibition will run from April 28 to May 24.

Entrants may submit one image each of up to three pieces of work, all on a CD. Annie confirmed Chichester photo-video shop Whitby's will help any artists transfer their images to CD free of charge. There will be size restrictions for the art work itself.

The judges and St Wilfrid's will also select some images to have printed as greetings cards which will be sold at St Wilfrid's shops and several shops in Chichester to continue the income generated by the event.

Submission forms and full terms and conditions are available on request from St Wilfrid's Hospice (01243 775302), Pallant House Gallery or the Observer offices.

All forms can be downloaded by clicking here.



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