TALENTED contemporary artists from across the Midlands are showcasing their work at the Rugby Open 25 exhibition, which is now running at Rugby Art Gallery and Museum.
Artists from across Warwickshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Coventry were invited to submit pieces for this year’s Open, with a panel of judges selecting the works to go on display.
Judges for Rugby Open 25 included Arts Council Collection director Alona Pardo, Coventry-based Art Riot Collective creative director Kyla Craig, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for partnerships and wellbeing Coun Maggie O’Rourke, and Mayor Barbara Brown.
The overall winner of Rugby Open 25 – announced at a special exhibition preview and award ceremony at the Little Elborow Street venue ahead of the exhibition’s official opening – was Paul Anthony Goalby for his painting The Placeholder.
He received a £1,000 prize – an increased amount this year to celebrate Rugby Art Gallery and Museum’s 25th anniversary – with an additional £500 to stage a solo exhibition at the venue’s Floor One Gallery.
The overall winner of the Rugby Youth Open was Dexter Rudkin for his work Boo!, for which he received a £250 prize.
The Mayor’s Award went to Ella Black for The Leather Jacket, Victoria Wyton-Mills won the Brendan O’Rourke Award for After School, and The Roodhouse Award went to Jo McChesney for A Place to Roost.
Carmen Tilley won the Art at the Alex 2D award for Henry, while the 3D award went to Jane Tilley for DNA the Man.
Arts Society Trophy was won by James Tallon for Red Run Retribution, and the McCready Theatre Prize went to Katherine Taylor for Sirens II.
The Rugby and District Arts Society gave their main award to Sandra Jenkins for Submerged Flora, and the youth award to Hannah Venkatasamy for Highland Cow.
The exhibition includes dozens of pieces from across the arts, from textiles and ceramics to paintings and prints.
Coun O’Rourke said: “We received hundreds of submissions for this year’s Open and I know how difficult the judges found it to select the pieces for the exhibition, let alone the winners of this year’s awards.
“The Rugby Open gives visitors a glimpse of the fantastic artistic talent we have in the borough and beyond, and artists the opportunity to showcase work in a professional gallery setting.”
To mark Rugby Art Gallery and Museum’s 25th anniversary, Open 25 has a supporting exhibition running alongside – 25 for 25.
The exhibition celebrates 25 years of the Rugby Open and features pieces from past Open exhibitors.
Rugby Open 24 winner Anya Kalsi has also opened her solo exhibition at the venue’s Floor One Gallery.
Coun Neil Sandison, Rugby Borough Council’s Liberal Democrat group spokesperson for partnerships and wellbeing, said: “We’re so lucky to have this exhibition of Midlands talent, offering such a wide range of unique art works.
“We hope visitors to the exhibition enjoy the diversity of the art on display.”
Rugby Open 25 runs at Rugby Art Gallery and Museum until Saturday February 7.
