Now in its fourth edition, SKETCH is an open sketchbook drawing prize which explores and celebrates the role of the sketchbook in contemporary fine art practice. The project was launched by Meryl Ainslie, Director of Rabley Drawing Centre, in 2005 and is the UK’s only art prize for artist’s sketchbooks with a dedicated touring exhibition.

From over 500 submissions, 100 sketchbooks have been selected for the 2017 exhibition which will begin at Rabley Drawing Centre, Wiltshire before touring to Black Swan Arts, Frome, Plymouth College of Art and Peter Scott Gallery in Lancaster. The shortlisted sketchbooks demonstrate a wide range of approaches to recording ideas and observations, offering a rare insight into each artist’s creative process. The exhibition will highlight the potential of the sketchbook to facilitate experimentation, evolve concepts and ultimately serve as a visual diary for artists working across all disciplines.

The selection was made by an independent panel comprising: Tom Hammick, painter and printmaker; Peter Randall-Page RA, sculptor and Gill Saunders, Senior Curator (Prints), V&A Museum. Prizewinners will be announced on Saturday 20 May.

The exhibition is not intended to be a survey of the sketchbook, but to generate creative impetus and provide a forum for debate, viewing the sketchbook as a place for impossible experiments alongside the ordinary and the observed. The selected sketchbooks will take visitors on a journey through the most intimate studio space of the artist.

'The handling of a sketchbook takes us to the heart of the space inhabited by the artist - the turning of a page brings a flow of ideas: fragments of images to come, references to places visited, experiences absorbed and thoughts provoked. It is a unique and privileged position, the prospect excites and the time spent rewards.' Meryl Ainslie, Director, Rabley Drawing Centre

The selected artists for SKETCH 2017 are:

Nidhi Agarwal, Nilofar Akmut, Lucy Austin, Peter Avery, Michelle Avison, Naomi Avsec, Richard Baker, Garry Barker, Brian Bishop, Andy Black, Kate Black, Patrick Blower, Julie Bolus, Neil Bousfield, Meg Buick, Robbie Bushe, Tom Cartmill, Becca Collins, Eugenia Cuellar, Yael David-Cohen, Mel Day, Anne Desmet, Clare Dudeney, Cameron Duke, Richard Eastwood, Peter Esslemont, Anny Evason, David Ferry, Coral G Guest, Nikki Gardham, Yolanta Gawlik, Chris Gilbert, Christopher Green, Beatrice Haines, Lesley Hicks, Tracy Himsworth, Eunju Hitchcock-Yoo, James Hobbs, Louise Holgate, Hilary Owers & Graham Hooper, Laura Hudson, Neil Irons, Lily Irwin, Paul Jackson, Alexander Johnson, Anne Kristin Hages, Karen Lorenz, Christine Mackey, Tony Martin, Patrick Martin, Lynda Marwood, Anna McDowell, Ruth Miemczyk, Julie Moss, Stephen Mumberson, Liz Myhill, Maureen Nathan, Simon Nicholas, Maureen O’Leary, Alison O’Neill, Beñat Olaberria, Edith Pargh Barton, Simon Parish, Helena Park, Stephanie Parr, Chitra Parvathy Merchant, Caroline Pedler, Howard Read, Chloe Regan, Margot Shores, Julie-Ann Simpson, Serena Smith, Barbara Sykes, Sadie Tierney, Luke Treece-Birch, David Willetts, Melanie Wickham

The exhibition has been supported by Black Swan Arts, Derwent, Lancaster Arts at Lancaster University, Plymouth College of Art and project organisers Parker Harris. Vist the website for more details.

Exhibition dates:

• Rabley Drawing Centre: 21 May – 17 June 2017
• Black Swan Arts: 22 July – 3 September 2017
• Plymouth College of Art: 9 September – 6 October 2017
• Peter Scott Gallery: 20 November – 15 December 2017

The image below is by Lucy Austin, selected for SKETCH 2017