Our 38th Annual open Exhibition

This year’s Open Art Exhibition at Castle Park Arts Centre in Frodsham once again displays an exciting range of artwork entered by amateur and professional artists of all ages from across the region.

A variety of 2D and 3D artwork in different mediums are on display , all of which are for sale.

All the work is original or limited prints, ideal for gifts at Christmas.  The exhibition is free to enter so why not come along and enjoy the artwork in this unique and historic settings.

 Meet the Artists Open evening will be held on 10 November 7 - 9 pm, everyone welcome

 

Judges Overall Award Winner 

“Full English” by Dave Percival (Foyer) 

“We chose “Full English” by Dave Percival because this artwork not only displays excellent technical ability and is instantly engaging in its subject matter but also has multiple layers of potential meaning. The artwork is beautifully executed with the artist showing a mastery of the medium used. The composition, which balances the human figures carefully inside the structure of the interior and with beautiful use of light, gives an elegance to this image of two old men, with their wrinkled skin and stern faces. But then the way any viewer might read meaning into this artwork is completely up for grabs. There are so many different narratives that could fit the image, which seems both gritty and sensitive at the same time. This unknown plays on our inquisitive human nature and leaves the viewer wanting more.” 

Judges Highly Commended & Overall Award Winners 

Highly Commended Nomination by Sophie Parr  

“Full Tilt Under a Dirty Sky” by Dorothy Taylor (G1)

“I have selected “Full Tilt Under a Dirty Sky” by Dorothy Taylor. I am particularly impressed by her use of mark making to describe the textures of the changing landscape, creating an energy and a sense of being exposed to the elements. She has shown an excellent understanding of colour, mixing a large range of colours within a limited palette in order to describe the rich autumnal landscape. Her choice of composition gives you a slice of the landscape from top to bottom.” 

Highly Commended Nomination by Josie Jenkins 

“Cottage Window” by P J Mills (G2)

Josie stated: “‘Cottage Window’ is one of those seemingly effortless paintings that in fact requires a very skilled hand and an ability to understand how to use limited marks to capture the most beautiful elements of a particular vision. The classical techniques of layering to create perspective and framing through the depiction of a window makes this work instantly engaging. The lighter marks mapping out the landscape in the distance add to the illusion of depth and against this, the more solid and defined interior brings variety to the composition, with a few simple objects that attract your attention. It’s a universal scene depicted with a lightness of hand that displays great talent.” 

“I'd like to offer my congratulations to all of the artists who were selected for the exhibition and especially to the ones who were awarded a commendation.” 

Highly Commended Nomination by Judith Vickers  

“Castle Point, Solway Firth” by Joan Dempsey (G3) 

“This landscape drew me in. Subtle, muted tones work together perfectly. Up close, it reveals glimpses of text, raw edges from torn paper and is full of texture, all of which are not immediately apparent. It is as beautiful admired from a distance as it is intriguing when studied up close.” 

Nominations by Phil Bower from Northwich Art Shop 

Highly Commended: 

“Rocky Shore” by Pat Brown (G1) 

“Electric Evergreen” by Louise Barson (G2) 

 Business Award Winner: “Full English” by Dave Percival (Foyer) 

Nominations by Jane at Tailgates (Pet Shop) 

Highly Commended: 

“Hare” by Clair Young (G1) 

“I felt it was so life like and raw, as if I held my hand out it would dart away” 

“Le Clin D’Oeil” by Sharon Lam (G3) 

“This painting is so vibrant, and the lady portrayed looks such fun, like I’d like to know her” 

 “Cottage Window” by P J Mills (G2) 

“A simple view anyone could have seen. It made me think of my childhood with flashes of memories that I can’t quite pin down” 

Business Award Winner: “Falls of Shin” by Hazel Thomson (stairway outside G1/G3) 

“I really like the way the sun clipped the trees as the river winded its way round the bend and the use of gold/silver leaf giving extra highlight to this very textured painting”