Gallery 1

Showcasing the best in contemporary art from around the country, our biennial exhibition is a dazzling display of artistic talent from professional and amateur artists alike.

Selected from works submitted by UK-based artists over the age of 16, the vivid mix of styles and themes will include pieces you’ll love – and possibly a few you’ll hate! Visitors are invited to vote for their favourite work, with the Visitors’ Choice winning £100.

Most of the exhibits are for sale, so if you see something you can’t live without, you’ll probably be able to purchase it. Please note that works can’t be removed before the end of the exhibition, this is to ensure that everyone can enjoy them for as long as possible.

Our selection panel this year was:
Maggie Jackson, Honorary Research Fellow, University of Chester
Patricia MacKinnon-Day, Artist
Elizabeth Montgomery, Senior Curator, West Cheshire Museums

Winners

1st – ‘Sneeze’ by Estelle Woolley

2nd –  ‘Prospect Cottage: Derek Jarman’s Cottage on Dungeness’ by Val Kosh

3rd – ‘Petrushka’ by Frances Broomfield

The 14th Open Art Exhibition is dedicated to the memory of Peter Boughton, our Keeper of Art who sadly passed away in 2019. Peter was passionate about everything he did and was particularly proud of the Open Art Exhibition. He set a very high standard: we’re sure the pieces selected for this Open Art would meet with his critical approval.