THE THREE COUNTIES OPEN ART 2021
VIRTUAL ART EXHIBITION NOW OPEN!

The Three Counties Open Art exhibition usually takes place in the beautiful and historic Burslem School of Art throughout July and August. The show offers a platform for artists based in Staffordshire, Cheshire and Shropshire. Like last year, due to COVID-19, rather than cancelling the summer show the decision was made to create another virtual exhibition following last years success. 

The gallery was officially opened on Friday 30 July, and a range of awards announced at a virtual launch even to over 90 guests. The exhibition features the work of 118 artists and includes a wide range of work with themese including, portraits, landscapes, abstract and personal and environmental issues.

Prizes winners are:                ‌‌
Arthur Berry Award sponsored by the New Vic Theatre Archive Fund- Geoff Archer- Pickup
Keele University 1st prize winner- Clive Wilson- 1955: Welcome to England
Keele University 2nd prize winner: Helena Shave- Kaleidoscope
Keele University 3rd prize winner: Doug Blanks- Moving like Shadows 
Barewall Gallery Award: Jo Polmear- Drawing near the Light
Burslem School of Art Trust Award – Steve Sutton- Life Support- Raised Bed
City Learning Trust Young Artist Award – Emy Mulankaya- Predator
Sustainability Prize sponsored by the North Staffordshire Friends of the Earth – Karl Whitfield- 'Why Mummy, why turtles?'

The Three Counties Open virtual show is now open and will continue until the autumn. You are welcome to visit the exhibition which is organised over 4 rooms and features work from 118 artists from across the Three Counties.

View the Virtual Exhibition here.

BACK AGAIN FOR 2021...YOU CAN VOTE TOO...

This year as part of our partnership with Appetite we are running the brand new Audience Choice Award. This is all about the public taking part in and voting for which of 21 shortlisted works deserves to be crowned the first Audience Choice Award Winner 2021 and be awarded the prize of £250.

Members of the Appetite Supper Club – a community panel of local residents who help make decisions about Appetite’s programme – were asked to view all over 170 submissions to the exhibition. They really enjoyed this process, viewing and talking about the fantastic artworks. They then had the difficult decision of coming up with a top 21 list of works, alongside the other Three Counties judges, which we are now sharing with you the public to vote on! Voting is now until 6 September with the winner announced on shortly after on 10th September.

View the artworks and cast your vote here.

Image credit: Helena Shave: Kaleidoscope (Keele University 2nd Prize winner)