Held Together, an ncas members' exhibition, Anteros Arts Foundation 29 September - 11 October 2026

As part of its 70th anniversary celebrations, ncas is delighted to present Held Together, an ncas group exhibition of 70 small-scale artworks where intimate details, delicate craftmanship, and powerful ideas unfold within modest dimensions.

With artworks selected by JMC Anderson, Carl Rowe and Kenza Gray, the exhibition showcases artists exclusively drawn from the ncas membership.

Responding to the simplest of briefs - that no work should exceed 30 x 30 cms - the exciting and varied submissions have exceeded expectations, showing creativity and the sheer range of artists working today.

Selector Kenza Gary comments: “The privilege of being a selector for the ncas open submission show was seeing such diversity of artistic expression demonstrated by the images sent in. Quite clearly, Norfolk is an extremely creative county and this will be evident in Held Together showing at Anteros”.

Selector Carl Rowe adds: “It has been wonderful to look through all of the entries for this monumental exhibition celebrating 70 years of ncas for Norfolk’s thriving and ever-growing art scene. The diversity and quality of the region’s art is something to be celebrated through exhibition such as Held Together.”

Held Together runs from 29 September to 11 October at Anteros Arts Foundation.

All are welcome to an Open Evening on Saturday 3 October from 5 to 7pm.

The Gallery is fully accessible and open Monday to Saturday 1000 to 1700 and Sunday 1000 to 1600.

John Ruskin Prize: Open Call

The John Ruskin Prize is open to entries from artists, designers and makers, amateur or professional, from anywhere in the world.

The theme of this year is Not for Present Delight. In a time defined by environmental urgency and social inequality, Not for Present Delight asks what it means to create with an awareness of consequence, while also posing the challenge: must art serve a purpose beyond itself.

For more information, click here

Deadline: Tuesday 17 November

South Quay Gallery First Annual Open Exhibition: open for entries

South Quay Gallery, Great Yarmouth is open for entries for its first Annual Open Exhibition which runs from 21 November until 20 December.

All the gallery spaces will be available for two and three dimensional work. Regretfully the Gallery is unable to accept video installation.

Works will be selected by 3 judges: John Crossley, Molly Thomson and Graham Crowley.

For more information on how to enter click here

Phyllida Barlow at Wolterton Hall

A meeting of opposites - the grandeur and refinement of Wolterton Hall are set against Phyllida Barlow’s raw, humble materials, creating a wonderfully unexpected dialogue between the historic interiors and her sculptures.

Across the rooms, Barlow’s work introduces a sense of tension and playfulness — fragile yet monumental, rough yet refined, temporary yet enduring. Cardboard, fabric, plaster and paint take on an entirely new presence within the ornate architecture, disrupting our expectations of what belongs in such a setting.

There is something wonderfully irreverent about seeing these seemingly modest materials hold their own against the splendour of the Hall. Rather than competing with the architecture, Barlow’s work unsettles and enlivens it, encouraging us to look again at both the sculptures and their surroundings.

A delicious collision of old and new, elegance and rawness, restraint and exuberance — and a joy to experience.

Tickets are free for the exhibition and entrance to Wolterton but must be booked in advanced via the Hall’s website here. 

The exhibition, which runs until 13 September 2026, is open 11am to 4pm Wednesday to Sunday.

ncas AGM 2026

Great to see so many members at the AGM!

A huge thank you to ncas members Brian and Ros for hosting us in their beautiful garden and providing such a wonderful setting for the day.

Photos: Top right: Johnny Messum. Centre: Selwyn Taylor. Left: Liz Maw and Nick Warr

A special thank you to Johnny Messum for his inspiring talk about the exciting new Messums East project at the historic Old Post Office in Lowestoft, sharing his vision for this new creative hub and its future programme of exhibitions, residencies, and events.

Our sincere thanks go to Selwyn Taylor as he steps down as Chair, for his leadership, commitment, and enthusiasm over the years. Although Selwyn is stepping down from the Chair role, we are delighted that he will continue his involvement as a Trustee.

Photos: Bottom right: Anne Aves Treasurer. Centre: Robert Short. Left: Keith Roberts

Selwyn has brought so much to the Society — from his creative contribution to our graphic design and communications, to his warm, friendly, and welcoming approach. We’d also like to recognise our long-serving retiring committee members, Diana Heuvel and Janey Bevington, for their dedication and generosity over the years. Always bringing energy and warmth to ncas events, Diana and Janey have been the true party-makers — organising gatherings, welcoming members, and ensuring there was always wonderful food, drink to be enjoyed.

Selwyn, Diana and Janey’s commitment, creativity and infectious enthusiasm have helped make ncas such a vibrant and welcoming community, and we thank themwhole heartedly for everything they have contributed.

Finally, thank you to everyone who helped with arranging this year’s AGM and the delicious lunch—it was a wonderful way to round off a great gathering.

ncas welcomes new Chair and Vice-Chair

ncas is delighted to announce the appointments of Elizabeth Maw as Chair and Nick Warr as Vice-Chair. 

The new leadership team takes the helm during a period of significant momentum for the organisation which is celebrating its 70th anniversary.

Elizabeth brings over 30 years’ experience in marketing and communications, together with a lifelong passion for the visual arts. She is currently studying for a MA in Fine Art at Norwich University of the Arts and is a graduate member of the Norwich 20 Group.

"It is a privilege to take on the role of Chair at such an exciting time for ncas. As the Society celebrates its 70th anniversary, we also have an opportunity to look ahead with confidence, building on a remarkable legacy while supporting the artists, audiences and partnerships that will shape our future. I look forward to working with Nick, the other Trustees and the wider ncas community to champion contemporary art across the region and ensure the Society continues to inspire creativity, connection and opportunity for years to come.”

Dr Nick Warr, ncas Vice-Chair

Nick Warr is Associate Professor of Art History and Curation at the University of East Anglia and Academic Director of the East Anglian Film Archive. An award-winning author and curator, his work focuses on the relationship between art, archives, and place, with a particular interest in Norfolk’s cultural heritage. 

“I first came across ncas through its extraordinary history, its commitment to enriching the cultural life of Norfolk, and its support for artists working in and inspired by the region. Equally important is the way it connects people with art and ideas through exhibitions, publications, and projects that deepen our understanding of ourselves and the places we live. As a trustee, and now Vice-Chair, what continues to motivate me is the community behind ncas. Its members, friends, and partners share a commitment to culture and creativity that enables the organisation to celebrate its history, engage new audiences, and develop ambitious programmes for the future.”

The new team succeeds Selwyn Taylor whose expert leadership and enthusiasm helped shape and deliver ncas’ 70th anniversary programme. 

We are delighted to welcome Elizabeth and Nick to their new roles and look forward to their leadership as the Society continues to champion contemporary art across Norfolk.

ncas Small Grants - Applications now open

The next round of ncas Small Grants is now open for applications, with a submission deadline of 31 August 2026.

Who can apply?

-Individual artists who are current ncas members.

-Artist groups and small organisations, provided that at least one member is a ncas member.

We welcome applications from artists, artist groups, curators, and interdisciplinary partnerships. Applicants should not be in full-time education, although applications from artists studying part-time may be considered.

Projects eligible for funding include:

-Exhibitions, events, and publications showcasing contemporary visual art.

-Educational programmes featuring contemporary art, involving artists, community groups, and interdisciplinary collaborations.

Please note that grants are not available for:

-Projects that are not based in the visual arts.

-The purchase of artworks.

-Projects that have already started (unless agreed in advance following consultation with ncas).

-Artists or groups who have already received ncas funding during the same financial year.

As funding is limited, we regret that not all applications will be successful.

If you are not yet a ncas member and wish to apply as an individual, please click here

For more information on ncas Small Grants please click here

We look forward to receiving your application by 31 August 2026.

ncas and Norwich University of the Arts graduate prizes 2026

Every year, ncas awards two prizes to Norwich University of the Arts Fine Art students: a Fine Art and New Makers prize, plus commendations in each category.

On 23 June, Sarah Longworth-West, Senior Lecturer BA (Hons) Fine Art (Painting), guided the ncas selection panel around ‘Grad Fest 2026’, the undergraduate degree show, to select the prizewinners.

“To be an artist is to rebel against social expectations, financial concerns and, sometimes, our own uncertainties. With such a wildly diverse range of practices, we contemplated what unified us as a collective and realised that it was courage.”

NUA Fine Art Catalogue 2026

With such a rich landscape to choose from, it proved to be an incredibly difficult task to select just one winner for each of the prizes but the panel did come to a consensus.

The Fine Art Prize was awarded to Ruby Oliver with her large-scale acrylic body paintings, depicting four generations of her family, embracing every imperfection.

Commendations go to Tom Harding and Pippa Bloom.

The New Makers Prize was awarded to Rob McLean for his unique synaesthetic environment, where tones, movements and textures coalesce.

Commendations go to Nancy-Mae Wright, Josie May Davies and Becky Gilbey.

Rothko in Florence

Sculptor Bob Catchpole, a former trustee of Sculpture in Norwich, recently visited the Rothko in Florence exhibition. Here are his reflections and images.

Rothko in Florence 

There is currently a major exhibition of Rothko’s work in the Palazzo Strozzi in Florence which I visited recently. It was a very moving experience. Whilst everyone isfamiliar with his large paintings in the Tate, I was particularly interested in seeing his early work and his development.

He visited Florence early on and was enormously influenced by Fra Angelico's frescoes in the San Marco former monastery and Michelangelo’s staircase for the Laurentian Library. 

His early work was especially interesting: I had never seen his surrealist paintingsbefore, and his drawings were most instructive.

The Strozzi show was hung chronologically, and it was possible to see his gradual removal of colour from his canvases as he moved towards his eventual suicide. In the last room the paintings were black and white, with a strong horizontal boundary. 

The curator also imaginatively decided to hang some of his work in the monks’ cells of the former monastery next to the frescoes. The result was the most extraordinary juxtapositions: they were quite simply very beautiful, breathtaking in fact.

There were also works placed within the Michelangelo staircase. The Strozzi is famous for its excellent shows, but this was quite extraordinary.

Two memorable things that Rothko expounded, which I found significant: he saw painting as architecture, and he wished his paintings to be viewed at close quarters, not from a distance.

The exhibition continues until August 2026.

Nightjars – Darren Barker MBE at the South Quay Gallery, Great Yarmouth

Darren Barker MBE is a British artist and the managing director of the Great Yarmouth Preservation Trust.

Deeply influenced by the German expressionists and, in particular, Max Beckmann, Barker has a similar set of recurring motifs culled both from his imagination and from his own past, such as the ubiquitous mackerel and pike from childhood fishing trips with his father. These are ambitious, disturbing and vivid canvases, and bring the whole exhibition to life.

Barker was deeply involved in rejuvenating this 17th century listed building Skippings Gallery in Great Yarmouth, a venue he also exhibited in.

Barker and fellow Great Yarmouth artist John Kiki staged a major dual exhibition at the National Gallery of Sofia, Bulgaria, in 2019.

Nightjars continues at the South Quay Gallery, 26 South Quay, Great Yarmouth, NR30 2RG until 21 June, 2026

Open Wednesday to Sunday, 10.00 am – 18.00 pm. Parking is free to visitors, adjacent to the Gallery.