Launched in 2014, Espy photo award is a contemporary international photography prize. Based in Swansea, Wales. Espy supports all mediums and genres of photography and is keen to showcase photographers experimenting with their process. 2019 brings an increase in prize money espy will be offering 2 prizes of £1000 this year: one for Digital and one for analog photography. Plus a special prize selected by Shutter Hub winning a years membership. Entry this year is also FREE!

Supported by elysium gallery. 

Deadline: 11pm, 1st April 2019 

Exhibition dates: 24th May – 22nd June 2019.

Who: 

The ESPY photography award in partnership with elysium gallery is a biennial open submission photography exhibition based in Swansea, Wales and welcomes entries from UK & International artists. 

What: 

We are looking for submissions that show imaginative and vibrant practice in contemporary photography, showcasing photographers that are working on projects in both Analogue and Digital formats.  

Espy is interested in photographers that push the boundaries and experiment with their chosen technologies. 

We are looking for work that is created digitally with an outcome as a digital print or even transcend into other formats of presentation. Analogue is defined as shooting on film then creating darkroom or digital prints, camera less darkroom techniques, chemigrams  or any part of the process created using analogue process. 

The ESPY 2019 Photo Award is FREE to enter: 

After the selection process if you are one of the artists selected to participate in the Swansea exhibition you will be required to pay a £25 exhibitions fee which will directly feed straight back into the set-up, catalogue and prize costs. ESPY and elysium gallery are not-for-profit, artist-led organisations. We will accept entries by email or by post. 

Prizes 

This year there are two prizes. £1000 for Analogue and £1000 for digital with both artists also receiving a joint show at elysium gallery in 2020. All shortlisted artists will be included in the exhibition catalogue. Plus a special prize of a years membership to Shutter Hub.

Selection Process 

​Huw Alden Davies, the*kickplate*project and Michal Iwanowski will choose the shortlisted artists for the main exhibition. The winners will be announced at the opening night on Friday 24th May 2019. Not all of the five images you submit will be selected for the exhibition to allow the best curated exhibition and allow the best variety and interest.

A Special prize will be selected and awarded by Shutter Hub and announced on the night.

What to Submit: 

• For the exhibition you need to submit  5 images.

• A statement of no more than 300 words (that will be used in the catalogue) 

• Also, website address and CV (these will not be used in the first selection process). 
  
  

How to apply:

• Attach 5 JPEG images of your work 

• Each jpg file must be 300dpi minimum 800 pixels wide, max 3MB each file 

• Each file must be numbered and titled in the following way: 1_Artist Name_title of work_dimensions_year 

• The description must also include a full list of attached JPGS and (if a series) the correct order they should be viewed. Your full name, phone number, CV, website address, postal address, Instagram profile and facebook page, plus your 300 word statement.

• If shortlisted, please make sure that the contact details in your application email those provided when paying your exhibition fee and that you sign the terms and conditions form. 

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If Selected​

• You will need to complete the terms and conditions form (this will be emailed to you)

• Forward the £25 fee

• Provide work that is professionally printed and presented. Work can be framed, just prints, projected or in poster format. 

• elysium gallery / ESPY can arrange for works to be printed at a reduced rate to save artists’ delivery costs. A price list will be emailed.You will need to provide high res images, sized correctly as JPEG or TIFF.

• If the work is not up to standard there is a chance it will not be exhibited.
  
  

What happens next: 

• Selection process will take place between 3rd - 8th April 

• Shortlisted photographers will be notified on 10th April 

•  Overall winners of both prizes will be announced on the opening night 24th May 2019 at elysium gallery 
  
  

All works, or digital files to be at elysium gallery by 1st April 2019.

Important dates 

2nd November 2018: 2019 ESPY photography award launched 

1st April 2019 11pm: deadline for entries 

3rd - 8th April: Exhibition selection 

14th April: Shortlisted photographers announced 

8th - 11th May: all Works and digital files received 

24th May: Exhibition launch and prize giving