Two Radstock artists, Geri Waddington and Martine Baldwin, have been successfully selected for an international art exhibition.

Organised by Wells Art Contemporary (WAC), the exhibition will be held in Wells Cathedral August 3-31.

This year’s competition received almost 2,500 submissions from 27 different countries. After much deliberation, the judging panel has selected 121 artworks, showcasing an array of disciplines and mediums across painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, mixed media, sculpture and installation.

The annual exhibition has become a highlight of Wells’ cultural calendar encouraging thousands of visitors to the city.

WAC chair Paddy O’Hagan said: “We want to deliver a platform for artists to show their work in such an inspirational and prestigious space and also provide visitors with access to an enriching experience which is perhaps associated more with a large metropolitan art gallery.”

This is Martine’s first time exhibiting with WAC. Her atmospheric woodcut print, Shelter, was made in response to seeing a Victorian-looking shelter on the seafront at Weston-super-Mare.

She explained: “It seemed fragile and was also at the time blocked off by some temporary barriers making it seem even more insubstantial against the power of the elements.”

For Geri meanwhile, this is her third success in the competition. She said: “I exhibit both nationally and internationally, but having the opportunity to contribute to such a vibrant show in Wells is really unique.

“The juxtapositions of contemporary and medieval art, from tiny details to the overwhelmingly monumental really spark off each other.”

Her engraving, Log Pile, is from a series called ‘Uninvited Guests’ based on the creatures found in an old French farmhouse – there are four rodents more or less concealed amongst the logs, happily sharing space and shelter with the human tenants.

In addition to the Gallery Show, there is also the WAC Installation Show running concurrently, with 19 site-specific installations situated throughout the cathedral and the Camery Gardens.

“A captivating reinterpretation of Wells Cathedral,” concludes Paddy. “As always, we are immensely grateful to Wells Cathedral for allowing us to put on an exhibition of this size and scale. And, on behalf of everyone at WAC, I’d also like to welcome The Reverend Canon Toby Wright as the new Dean of Wells Cathedral and wish him every success. We look forward to working with him in the future.”

Entry to WAC is included with admission to the Cathedral. A virtual exhibition will also be available to view. Visit: www.wellsartcontemporary.co.uk.