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Local talent shines as Portsmouth’s Open art exhibition goes on show

After considering 780 works submitted by more than 300 local artists, the winners have been chosen and the Portsmouth Open art exhibition is preparing to open on Saturday (11 October).

The exhibition was open to any artist living in Portsmouth or within a 20-mile radius of the city and, as there are only around 300 spaces in the show, the competition is fierce. A panel of judges chose the work that will be on show, and selected three prizewinners and six highly commended works.

Portsmouth Open will be on show at the City Museum and Records Office until 4 January 2009 and visitors to the exhibition will be able to a range of work including paintings, sculpture, mixed media and photography.

Rosalinda Hardiman, Museums Collection Manager, said: “The judges this year had a huge challenge on their hands. We’ve had such a fantastic response to the exhibition that they almost 800 works to consider, by more than 300 different artists.

“The submissions reflected the wealth and diversity of artistic talent in the Portsmouth area and choosing the pieces to display has been a difficult task. We are really pleased with the resulting exhibition and hope everyone who visits will enjoy it too.

“The exhibition opens on Saturday and admission to the Portsmouth Open exhibition and the rest of the City Museum is free.”

First prize was awarded to Karl Rudziak’s dominating oil paint portrait of 'Smithy'. Second prize went to a colourful acrylic abstract called 'Around 1' by Paul Everitt. Third prize went to Louise Sandford’s 'Majestic Lion Fish', a delicate graphite drawing.

Highly Commended awards were given to oil paintings, a photograph, hand-blown glass, and a mixed media construction. The highly commended awards reflect the wide variety of artistic media that can be seen in the show. A Visitors' Choice prize will be awarded at the end of the exhibition.

Rosalinda Hardiman added: “If you don’t agree with the judges, the Visitors' Choice prize is your chance to have your say and cast your vote for your favourite work.”

Many of the works are for sale. Anyone purchasing a work from the exhibition will be able to collect it in time for Christmas.

The exhibition is open everyday (except 24-26 December) from 10am-5pm.

Date : 09 October 2008