Three Counties Open Art Exhibition Launch Day

Saturday 27th July 2024
11am-3pm
School of Art, Queen Street, Burslem*.

Join us for the first chance to see the work of all 98 artists in this year's show, plus the talented work of young people across the City Learning Trust schools. The day will be a real celebration of the talent found across the three counties of Staffordshire, Cheshire, and Shropshire. There will also be creative drop-in activities throughout the day and music provided by the wonderful Restoke Town Hall Choir at 12pm and 1pm. 

What's on?

Get creative...

   

 

 

 

Pulp, Deckle and Mould - DROP IN. Come and get involved in our pop-up paper mill! Our launch day will be the first of many opportunities, during the exhibition, to get hands on with PULP, DECKLE & MOULD, a human paper mill! 

Offering visitors a range of hands-on opportunities to make beautiful handmade paper from recycled materials during the Three Counties Open Art Exhibition at Burslem School of Art. Working alongside artist Danny Callaghan you will be immersed in a lively ‘have-a-go’ environment with a series of ‘work stations’ relating to the various techniques and steps needed to turn existing paper-based materials - from his mother’s and environmental activist, Pat Callaghan’s, collection - into new (recycled) handmade paper. 

There will also be premade paper for you to use to contribute to a collective artwork, that will change and evolve through the run of the exhibition. 

Origami Florals - DROP IN. Get absorbed in our origami workshop; come drop-in for a relaxed origami session based on flowers, if you fancy the challenge you can even create your very own mini Kusudama's (flower ball). Working with artist Ricky Chen, whose installation Plane of Planetary features within our exhibition, you can learn how to fold and assemble paper to create stunning floral forms. 

Cyanotype Printing - DROP IN. Using prepared fabric, fauna from the local area and photo negatives that feature architectural details from our beautiful venue you will be able to create a cyanotype print to take home with you. Exploring pattern, composition and this exciting process with artist and local milliner Holly Johnson of HoJo Hattery fame, you will create something unique to you and your own memento of Three Counties Open 2024! 

FREE ENTRY, no booking required, family-friendly. 

ACCESS: The School of Art building is an accessible space, with ramp access to the front of the building and lift access throughout. Due to the age of the building the building has uneven floors which can feel slightly odd to walk upon in places but they do not cause restriction with wheelchair access or pushchairs. 

PARKING: There is a small car park to the rear of the School of Art building which is located just off Cleveland Street/ Bourne Bank (please note if you park here vehicles will need to be removed at 3pm prompt otherwise they may get locked in when we close the site). Additional parking can be found along Queen St, please take note of on street parking restrictions and payment meters; outside Burslem Town Hall on Market Place (ticket machine), there is a Long Stay car park on Chapel Lane, ST6 2AB a short walk away from the School of Art building. 

*Please note we are now back in the School of Art building on Queen Street in Burslem!

The Three Counties Open Art is organised in partnership with: ArtsKeele at Keele University; Appetite; Barewall Gallery; Burslem School of Art Trust; Character & Arts Foundation; City Learning Trust; ACAVA Spode Works.
With special thanks to our awards sponsors – ACAVA, Appetite, Barewall Art Gallery, Burslem School of Art Trust, City Learning Trust, The Art Studio, Keele University, North Staffordshire Friends of the Earth, New Vic Theatre Archive Fund and Urban Wilderness. 

We are grateful to Val and Chris Ensor for their generous support which has enabled us to expand our community workshop and participation programme in 2024.  

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