Grosvenor Museum’s open art exhibition returns with regional talent on display

Chester Grosvenor Museum Open Art Exhibition is back for its 15th year, celebrating the best in contemporary art from across the North West, North Wales, and Cheshire’s bordering counties.

The exhibition officially opens to the public on Sunday 9 February, following a private viewing for invited guests the day before.

This year’s exhibition features 102 works selected from over 460 entries, showcasing a wide range of mediums, including paintings, drawings, textiles, photographs, and ceramics.

The event offers both emerging and established artists the opportunity to exhibit their work in a professional gallery setting.

Prizes were awarded by a panel of judges, with Sarah Wood’s Keepsake Comes to Life (watercolour and gouache) taking first place and earning the prestigious Peter Boughton First Prize, along with £1,000.

Second place went to Catherine Taylor Parry for her mixed-media piece Matter II, while Debbie Baxter’s acrylic work Interconnection won third prize.

Seven other artists were highly commended by the judges.

The first prize honours the late Peter Boughton, who was Keeper of Art at the museum and founded the Open Art Exhibition.

Richard Hopkinson, Chair of the Grosvenor Museum Society, explained: “Peter was a wonderful ambassador for the Museum and for the visual arts in Chester, with a vast knowledge of the city’s history and artists. He was extremely enthusiastic about showcasing the work of local living artists, and it is very fitting that we honour his contribution by naming the first prize after him.”

Judging and Visitors’ Choice Award

This year’s judging panel included Jeremy Turner from the University of Chester, artist and illustrator India Hackett, Jessie Petheram from West Cheshire Museums, and Declan Connolly from the Open Eye Gallery. The panel selected both the exhibits and the prize winners across two rounds of judging.

Visitors to the exhibition are invited to vote for their favourite piece, with the winner receiving the Visitors’ Choice award at the end of the exhibition.

Councillor Lisa Denson, Cabinet Member for a Fairer Future, encouraged visitors to get involved. “Many congratulations to all of the artists at the Open Art Exhibition, and especially to this year’s winners. I’d like to thank the judges, and now it’s the turn of visitors to vote for their favourite exhibit. I’d also like to thank Sykes Holiday Cottages, who are generously sponsoring this year’s Visitors’ Choice prize.”

Supporting Regional Art and Community Engagement

The Peter Boughton First Prize is sponsored by the Grosvenor Museum Society, the museum’s ‘Friends’ body, which is run entirely by volunteers. The society has donated more than £160,000 to support the museum’s collection through purchases and conservation efforts.

The exhibition is open to artists over the age of 16 living or working in the region and will run at the Grosvenor Museum until 31 August 2025. Visitors can see works that reflect a diverse range of artistic styles and creative approaches, all displayed within the museum’s historic galleries.

For more information, visit Grosvenor Museum.