Eleven prize-winners were announced on Friday at an opening ceremony for the fifth biennial Open exhibition at the Waterside Arts Centre in Sale, Greater Manchester.  

The Waterside Open exhibition showcases work submitted from established and emerging artists and makers from across the region and the UK in the form of contemporary art and craft using a diverse range of art forms including 2D and 3D visual arts, textiles, crafts, furniture, photography, print, installation, sculpture and digital media.

Over 400 works of art were submitted for selection in March where they were assessed by a judging panel including Stella Corrall (Artist and Creative Director of Lucentia), Kwong Lee (Director of Castlefield Gallery), and Jane Dzisiewski (Jewellery Designer Maker & Social Media Consultant). Over 100 artworks were chosen in the final selection.

First prize was awarded to Trafford-based textile artist Effie Jessop for her piece Soulmates; second prize to local artist Sarah Malone for her Fish Blossom Vase and third prize to Wilmslow artist Peter Davis for Face Furniture (Self Portrait). Best Artist in Trafford went to Sandra Robinson for Night Conversations I who is based in Sale and the Best Recent Graduate prize was presented to Steph Shipley for Passage #1. 

Highly commended winners included: Robert Burgess with Death; Emma Knowles with Peter; Nicky Martins with Clear Heart and White Star; Trish North with Quarry Fragment; Iain Perry with Reach for the sky; and John Stephenson with The Gallery Critics I.

 Visitors to the exhibition will also have the chance to vote for their favourite artwork within the Visitors’ Choice Award category, with the winner to be announced at the end of May. There will also be a group exhibition for the 2016 winners at Waterside Arts Centre in 2017.

First prize -winner Effie Jessop said “Winning the prize was a wonderful surprise, and a real push forward at a time when I am just trying to get back into producing art having had a break to have my son. It is fantastic to have such a lovely venue to exhibit in that is so close to home.” 

Exhibition curator Kelda Savage said “This year has been a phenomenal year for submissions – with over 400 from across the UK, placing Waterside Arts Centre well and truly on the visual arts map. We have been delighted with the quality of work submitted and hope visitors will enjoy the range of work on display.” 

The exhibition runs until Saturday 2 July and is free entry (opening hours Monday – Saturday 10am – 5pm). Visitors will also have opportunity to purchase the works of art in the exhibition.

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