Artists and photographers from Staffordshire, Cheshire and Shropshire are being invited to submit their work for a popular annual exhibition taking place this summer.

The Three Counties Open Art Exhibition runs from Saturday, August 9th to Saturday, August 30th at Fenton Town Hall.

The long-standing exhibition celebrates the creativity of local amateur and professional artists, with this year’s event also celebrating Stoke-on-Trent’s centenary year.

This year's exhibition welcomes digital art, drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, textiles, and live/performance art, and people have until midnight on Monday, May 26th to submit entries.

The event is organised in partnership with ArtsKeele at Keele University, Restoke, Barewall Gallery, Burslem School of Art Trust, Appetite, and ACAVA Spode Works.

Kerry Jones, from ArtsKeele at Keele University, said: "We are incredibly excited to be organising the Three Counties Open Art Exhibition again in Stoke-on-Trent, especially during its centenary year. We look forward to experiencing the breadth of work from our talented local artists and are thrilled to share this creativity in the special setting of the ballroom at Fenton Town Hall. This year's exhibition promises to be a vibrant celebration of creativity, featuring a diverse mix of mediums and styles."

Selected artists will have the chance to win one of 11 prestigious awards, including:

Arthur Berry Centenary Award: In celebration of the centenary year of the birth of the renowned artist Arthur Berry, the Three Counties Open Art 2025 proudly presents the Arthur Berry Prize. Sponsored by the New Vic Theatre Archive Fund and a generous gift, this award includes a prize of £1000. It reflects on the legacy of Arthur Berry, whose work has left an indelible mark on the art world and the cultural heritage of Stoke-on-Trent.

People and Place Award: Sponsored by Newcastle-under-Lyme BID, this new category for 2025 celebrates works that capture human connection to place, whether through landscapes, urban scenes, or intimate portraits. The theme "People and Place" seeks to highlight the diversity of perspectives and the unique stories that emerge from the interplay between people and their environments. Prize amount: £200.

Urban Wilderness Photography Award & Residency: Sponsored by Urban Wilderness, the organisation behind the Pig Walk Carnival, this special photography prize offers a unique opportunity for photographers to hone their skills and gain valuable experience.

There is also a special award for young artists aged between 16 and 25.

All submitted works must have been created within the last two years and must not have been previously shown at the exhibition. For more information and submission guidelines, visit the exhibition website or contact the event organisers.  

WEB: https://www.keele.ac.uk/about/artskeele/threecountiesopenart2025/   
EMAIL: open.art@keele.ac.uk   
SOCIAL MEDIA: @ArtsKeele