A collection of award-winning artwork by local artists is now open at Newcastle Common in Newcastle-under-Lyme Town Centre.

‘Featured’ will showcase some of the award-winning pieces which were included in Arts Keele’s Three Counties Open Art Exhibition over the summer at Burslem School of Art. The exhibition includes a diverse mix of drawings, sculpture, print, mixed media and ceramics all created by the following artists: John Paul Hill, Paul Dunkerley, Rob Fenton, Kim Hargreaves, April Star Davies, Qianhui Tu, and Paige Sutton.

The exhibition, which runs until Saturday 26 October, is open on Fridays and Saturdays between 11am - 3pm and is free to attend.

Work displayed also includes Appetite Audience Choice Award winner Paige Sutton’s piece ‘Hiraeth’. The Appetite Audience Choice Award is shortlisted by local community groups including the Appetite Supper Club and Lunch Club, a group of local asylum seekers and refugees. The winner is then determined by public vote. Paige is also the recipient of the Burslem School of Art Trust Prize.

The Three Counties Open Art is an annual open call for artists from Staffordshire, Cheshire or Shropshire to submit their work. Submissions for this year’s Three Counties Open Art exhibition closed on the 12th June with their most entries ever and of the 268 submissions, 98 artists displayed their work during the summer at the Burslem School.

Other award winners on display include the recipients of the Best Newcomer Award, Acava Residency Prize, Urban Wilderness Award, the Art Studio Prize and the Three Counties Open Art Prize.

Director Gemma Thomas at Appetite said: “It’s so exciting to have these award-winning pieces on display for everyone to enjoy. The exhibition is such a great way to see lots of different types of art from people in Staffordshire and beyond, all in one place. We hope this inspires other to pursue their love of art and maybe next year they’ll be submitting their own work.”

Kerry Jones at Arts Keele said: “We are so happy artists who featured in this year's Three Counties Open Art exhibition summer show have another amazing platform in the to share their work. Featured is such a special show drawing a focus on award winning artists from the local area, it’s really not to be missed!”

Appetite hold events and projects for everyone throughout the year. Find out more at appetite.org.uk.

IMAGE: Take Up Space by Kim Hargreaves. Image by Jenny Harper Photography