ARTWORKS spanning painting, sculpture, drawing, photography, installation and video will be on display when the Wells Art Contemporary (WAC) exhibition opens at The Bishop's Palace in October.

The 123 shortlisted works were selected from 1,397 submissions from 26 different countries.

The exhibition runs from October 6-21. Concessionary rates will apply to entrants to view WAC after 4.30pm, and students will be admitted free, with ID.

A number of other events linked to WAC will also take place in Wells. They include the chance to listen to a Sound Sculpture at Wells Cathedral, and the sounds of Wells captured in Sound Jars – listened to like giant seashells – at a stall at Wednesday and Saturday markets.

A specially produced art map gives more details of all the events and venues. Printed copies will be available around the city and it can be viewed on the WAC website.Competition prizes – which include cash, exhibition and professional development prizes – will be presented at a private ceremony on October 12.

Among the awards will be the Chubb Bulleid People's Prize for the artist whose work is most favoured by visitors to the exhibition.

Andelli Art gallery at South Horrington will be awarding the Next Generation Art Prize, offering the winner a two-week solo exhibition, mentoring and advice.

Free workshop will draw on past

During the two weeks that the Wells Art Contemporary exhibition is being held in The Bishop's Palace, Wells & Mendip Museum will have on display works of contemporary art by the Somerset Guild of Craftsmen which have been inspired by the more traditional displays in the museum collections.

On Saturday, October 13, from 10am to 4pm, the museum will be holding a free workshop, open to children and adults, which will use museum exhibits such as the original swan taught to ring the moat bell, fossils, the finds from Wookey Hole Caves, skeletons, the First World War display and a penny-farthing bicycle.

The workshop will be led by local artist Philippa Threlfall and museum trustee Clare Blackmore to inspire and be used as a basis for a contemporary work of art in clay, paint, pen, pencil and collage.

Contemporary art in Wells in October

• Human Nature, until November 25, The Bishop's Palace & Gardens. A new sculpture trail of ten artworks in the Palace gardens curated by Gallery Pangolin
• As Above, So Below, October 6-22, Wells Cathedral. WAC has commissioned an immersive 'Sound Sculpture'. The unique exhibition plays on light (in the Chapter House) and dark (in the Undercroft) using interconnected sound systems that are affected by light changes and people's movement.
• As Within So Without, October 10, 13, 17 and 20 at Wells Market, October 14 at Wells Food Festival. Zsofia Szucs continues the Sound Sculpture theme with Sound Jars. Having made field recordings of the city, each jar plays different sounds when opened.
• Paen by Eleanor Bartlett, October 6-31, South Cloister, Wells Cathedral. Art exhibition of wax sculptures by the notable artist, celebrating effort and endurance.
• Intervention, October 6-22, Wells & Mendip Museum. Special exhibition from 10 members of the Somerset Guild of Craftsmen, including workshops. Two specialist makers will also be exhibiting: Debbie Kolombos and Dickon O'Hagan.
• Landscapes by Dion Salvador Lloyd, October 3-19, Andelli Art. An exhibition by the contemporary British painter, known predominantly for his landscapes.
• Komorebi – the filtered light, October 13-28, Heritage Courtyard Gallery. An exhibition of specially curated work by Somerset textile artist Liz Clay and guest artist Miho Kanda from Japan.
• Picture: The Wells Art Contemporary committee (Ann Cook Photography)