Artists honoured at Three Counties Open Art Exhibition Awards during 30th anniversary celebrations

Artists from across Staffordshire, Cheshire and Shropshire have been recognised for their exceptional talent and creativity at the Three Counties Open Art Exhibition Awards, held as part of the exhibition's 30th anniversary celebrations.

The awards were presented at a special ceremony at Fenton Town Hall, bringing together artists, partners, supporters and community organisations to celebrate artistic achievement from across the three counties region.

The event took place in the Ballroom at Fenton Town Hall, home to local arts organisation Restoke. The ceremony marked a significant milestone for the exhibition, which has spent three decades providing a platform for emerging and established artists and practitioners, and celebrating creative excellence across Staffordshire, Cheshire and Shropshire. 

This year's award winners were: 

• Arthur Berry Prize sponsored by the New Vic Theatre Archive Fund won by Helen Beverley Plester with Contemplating Evaporating. Award Presented by Polly Wain, Director at the New Vic Theatre.

• Open Art Prize 2026 sponsored by Keele University and won by Jon‑Paul Green with Who We Are. Award presented by Kerry Jones and Deb Hilditch (ArtsKeele).

• Best Newcomer Award sponsored by ArtsKeele and won by Vicky Brown, Somewhere between Duty and Dreaming. Award presented by Gabriella Gay, Kwanzaa Collective.

• 2D Prize sponsored by The Art Studio, Newcastle-under-Lyme and won by David Manuel with Above and Beyond. Award presented by Clare Wood, Board of Directors at Stoke Creates.

• 3D Prize sponsored by Burslem School of Art Trust and won by Esme Talbot, with Martha Minton. Award presented by Clare Wood Clare Wood, Board of Directors at Stoke Creates.

• Newcastle‑under‑Lyme BID Prize sponsored by Newcastle-under-Lyme BID and won by Muhammed Nihal with Dispersion. Award presented by Charl Pearce, NuL BID.

• Valentine Clays Creative Ceramics Award sponsored by Valentine Clays and won by Mark Delf with We grew up on this land; it is part of us. Award presented by Valentine Clays.

• Sustainability Prize sponsored by North Staffordshire Friends of the Earth and won by Mark Delf with We grew up on this land; it is part of us. Award presented by Neil Dawson (North Staffordshire Friends of the Earth), Dr Laura Rhodes (Keele University), and Gemma Thomas (Brilliant Bamboo).

• ACAVA Prize sponsored by ACAVA. Laura Szabadi, Midway Upon Her Journey, presented by ArtsKeele.

• Wild Edge Arts Prize sponsored by Wild Edge Arts and won by Madiha Safdar with Nafs‑al‑mulhama. Award presented by Isla Telford, Wild Edge Arts.

• Young Artist Award sponsored by PiCL (Partners in Creative Learning) won by Alice Tanasie with Is Dreaming Forbidden Counting Sheep. Award presented by Lucy Thomson‑Smith, Executive Director at PiCL.

• George Mallalieu Prize. Tracy Jamgbadi, Purble Place, presented by ArtsKeele.

The awards form part of an expanded programme marking the exhibition's 30th anniversary year. With categories recognising painting, sculpture, ceramics, sustainability and emerging talent, the awards highlight the breadth and diversity of artistic practice across the region

Alice Tanasie, winner of the Young Artist Award, said: "It is such an honour, not only having the privilege to take part in this wonderful exhibition but also being able to voice such personal matters through art publicly is truly astonishing and I could not be more grateful.

"This award means a lot to me. Being able to display this piece in the Three Counties Exhibition was a dream come true."

The Three Counties Open Art Exhibition remains open until Saturday, August 29th, welcoming visitors from 11am to 3pm, Tuesday to Saturday. The exhibition is organised by ArtsKeele at Keele University in partnership with ACAVA Spode Works, Appetite, Burslem School of Art Trust, the New Vic Theatre, Barewall Gallery, PiCL (Partners in Creative Learning), and Restoke.

On Thursday 27 August, visitors can also attend a special Open Lates event featuring a guided tour led by local artist and art educator Terry Shave, an origami flower workshop, close-looking activities with Art UK, and live folk music. A bar will be available throughout the evening.   

Further information about the exhibition and associated events is available via ArtsKeele.