A record number of artists have submitted their work to the Open exhibition at the Thelma Hulbert Gallery. 

The Open exhibition is a key part of galley's exhibition programme, showcasing the rich talent of contemporary visual artists living in the South West.

This year there were more than 400 entrants, including an increase in the number received from emerging artists under the age of 25, several of which are recent graduates.

The artworks selected will be exhibited at the gallery on Dowell Street from 2 September to 28 October. 

The winners will be announced at the exhibition opening on Saturday 2 September, 3pm - 5pm.

The top prize is £500 and the Visitors' Choice prize of £100 is kindly sponsored by The Holt, Honiton.

The recipient of the Main Prize will earn the opportunity to exhibit their work in a solo exhibition at the art gallery and the Best Emerging Artist will win a solo exhibition in the Thelma's project space.

Visitors to the exhibition will be able to vote in the gallery for their favourite piece to win the Visitors' Choice Award at the end of the exhibition.

The judging panel was led by THG Curator Ruth Gooding, THG Curator alongside Ciara Devaney-Dykes, Undergraduate University of Exeter, Dr Ella S Mills, Associate Lecturer Art History University of Plymouth and Heather Penwarden, Chair - Dementia Friendly Honiton and Deputy Lead Governor - Royal Devon Hospital.

Helen Freeman has just finished a degree in Fine Art. Her broader practice is collage but she also uses ink, watercolour and silk painting.

She said: "'Eating Out' was created this year from my daily collage practice using the social media app 'BeReal' as the inspiration and starting point. BeReal prompts you to take a photo at a random time, once a day. I make my own papers and use parts from other work.