Adopt an Artist 2025

2025 brings another exciting chapter in the development of Gloucester Contemporary Artists.  An even bigger and better ‘Adopt an Artist’ display in the windows of Gloucester city-centre businesses is now underway with 25 artists and 22 businesses participating throughout May and June.

In 2024 this was very successful.  Gloucester businesses were offered wonderful artwork to light up their window displays and attract passers-by to spend a little more time viewing the artwork and consequently drawing attention to the business.  This proved mutually beneficial and there was overwhelming enthusiasm for this to happen again in 2025.  A map of where the artworks are on display is available to view here

Competition

This year a new feature has been added to Adopt an Artist – The public and local schools are invited to enter a competition with prizes given.  Anyone who enjoys art can use one of the artworks to inspire their own creation and shortlisted entries will be framed and exhibited in a city centre gallery space on the 21st to 28th June. 

Three top prizes will be awarded at a Private View on 22nd June with a 1st prize - £200, second prize - £100 and third prize - £50.  Entry is free and you can find details of the entry process here  

A Walking Art Gallery - an art happening on Saturday 10 May

A dozen artists from Gloucester Contemporary Artists will create a walking gallery on Saturday 10 May to promote Adopt an Artist 2025. The artists will process through the city centre wearing their artworks front and back or held aloft on poles. The art happening will take place from midday on Saturday 10 May and last for around an hour. The artists will be led by an artist bearing a flag with the words ‘more art’ and will stop occasionally to mingle with the shoppers.

The walking gallery will promote the Adopt an Artist art trail in which 22 city centre shops and businesses have ‘adopted’ 25 local professional artists and are displaying examples of their work in their windows, creating a 24 hour outdoor art gallery throughout May and June that reaches from The Folk of Gloucester to the Museum of Gloucester.

So, exiting times ahead, helping fulfil a major aim of GCA to reach out to members of the public, engage with local businesses in the town centre and bring the beauty and joy of art to all while encouraging everyone to join in.