Artistic talent in the spotlight at Rugby Open 23

Rugby Open 23 opens on Saturday (25 November) and includes dozens of pieces from across the arts, from paintings and prints to textiles and ceramics.

Artists from Warwickshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Coventry were invited to submit pieces for the exhibition, with a panel of judges selecting works to go on display.

Judges for Rugby Open 23 included Penny Johnson, former director of the Government Art Collection and now a trustee of the Bridget Riley Art Foundation, artist and printmaker Chris Orr, a member of the Royal Academy of Arts, the Mayor of Rugby, Cllr Maggie O'Rourke, and Ella Humphrey, winner of the People's Choice Award at Rugby Youth Open 22.

The winner of Open 23 scoops a £1,000 prize and the chance to stage a solo exhibition at Rugby Art Gallery and Museum's Floor One Gallery, with the winner of Rugby Youth Open 23, for artists from 14 to 19-year-olds, walking away with £250.

Winners look set to be announced at a special exhibition preview and award ceremony at the Art Gallery tomorrow (Friday), while during the exhibition's run visitors can cast votes to crown the winners of the People's Choice Awards.

Katie Boyce, Rugby Art Gallery and Museum's senior exhibitions and programming officer, said: "We received a bumper crop of entries to this year's Open and the judges had a tough task to select the 240 pieces to feature in the exhibition.

"The Open offers up-and-coming artists a wonderful opportunity to exhibit work in a professional gallery setting, while visitors can discover the depth and breadth of artistic talent on our doorsteps." 

Rugby Open 23 runs at Rugby Art Gallery and Museum until Saturday 3 February.

For more information about exhibitions and events at the Art Gallery and Museum, visit www.ragm.co.uk