Judges are impressed with the standard of work received at Doncaster’s growing Open Art competition

The annual Open Art exhibition in Doncaster brings together the best in arts and crafts from makers working across the region and has earned a reputation which now attracts works not just from local artists from but from across the North of England.

This year over 150 artists submitted works for consideration by the selection panel, which comprised artist Lee Coleman working alongside staff from Doncaster Museum Service. The panel selected works for the exhibition and chose winners in both the Open Artist and Young Artist categories. There were also prizes awarded to three other artists who the panel felt deserved commendation.

This year’s winners all from the Doncaster area are:

OPEN ARTIST WINNER - Tim Thorpe: Eleanor

The panel were all impressed by the Tim Thorpe’s beautifully crafted painting of Eleanor. They loved the wonderful use of colour and control of light and shade, as well as the fine detail in the painting. The entire panel felt that it was a worthy winner of this year’s Open Art exhibition.

HIGHLY COMMENDED - Polly Warren: Steep Hill, Lincoln

Polly Warren entered three beautifully crafted lino cuts to the exhibition, with this image of the Steep Hill in Lincoln being the panel’s favourite. The panel admired the strength of design in the image and the subtle, yet confident use of colour.

HIGHLY COMMENDED - Janine Siddall Burton: If

The panel were intrigued by Janine Siddall Burton’s sensitive pencil drawing, and the strange distortion of the figure contained in it. They were interested in the ambiguity of the image, in particular the emotion that she was showing. It was an image that the panel kept coming back to.

HIGHLY COMMENDED - Roger Simpson: Won

The panel loved the energy contained in Roger Simpson’s image of horses crossing the finish line of a race. They also liked the bold and confident use of the watercolour medium, which although semi abstract in quality combined to make a convincing image.

YOUNG ARTIST WINNER - Beth Fawcett: Free

The entire panel loved Beth Fawcett’s joyous image of animals in a landscape. They admired the quality of the drawing and the complex composition and convincing use of colour. The panel were amazed when they found out that it had been done by an 11 year old.

Open Art runs until December 7th. For more information go to doncaster.gov.uk/museums