WARRINGTON was awash with art and culture as the third Warrington Contemporary Arts Festival launched – and the winners of this year’s open art exhibition were announced.
More than 200 people took part in a “cultural crawl” which started at the Gallery At Bank Quay House and took spectators on a journey around Warrington’s Cultural Quarter, viewing exciting new exhibitions and installations at Pyramid and Warrington Museum and Art Gallery.
Carol Miller, from Rainhill, was crowned the winner of the open visual art prize with her oil canvas painting “Before #1.”
First prize in the open photography competition went to John Volynchook with his photographic print River Cray. Both artists will now be given the chance to showcase more of their work in their own solo exhibitions in the town.
Arts enthusiasts were also treated a preview of exciting new exhibitions including Polly Morgan’s “Curiouser and Curiouser” which takes taxidermy into the 21st Century with a collection of still life sculptures. Polly’s work has caused quite a stir recently catching the attention of Banksy, Damian Hurst and Kate Moss. Her new exhibition at Warrington Museum and Art Gallery was featured on TV on Saturday morning.
David Ogle, an artist from Lymm and the winner of “Sculpture Shock” opened his new exhibit at Pyramid, using beams of light to create unique temporary forms that respond to the room around them.
People also had the chance to see the work of Warrington visual artist Tracy Hill at Pyramid, winner of the open at Warrington Contemporary Arts Festival two years ago.
Claire Weetman, a St Helens artist opened her public realm installation that is a trail of street art throughout Warrington. It’s been installed using jet-washing on the pavements of the town and forms a trail around the Cultural Quarter.
One special guest also took part in the crawl, Jeremy Bailey – “one man in Vienna and an iPad”. He interacted with people at the launch while in a completely different country using Skype.
The festival runs November 22 coinciding with Warrington hosting the Rugby League World Cup. To find out more information about events during the festival visit www.warringtonartsfestival.co.uk
Carol Miller said: “I’m still pinching myself, the standard of the work was so high, I can’t quite believe I’ve won it. It’s amazing to just be part of the Warrington Contemporary Arts Festival but to have won this prize is beyond my expectations.
I’m very excited about the prospect of my, hopefully first, solo show and the doors it will open for me”.
John Volynchook said: “It’s a real honour to have your work shown in a gallery but to have it validated by winning a prize is something else. Winning the prize is very significant for me as professional practitioner as it brings my work to a wider audience”.
Maureen Banner, chairman of Culture Warrington said: “It was fantastic to see so many people come along to celebrate the diverse culture that Warrington has to offer. The wealth of talented artists who are taking part in this year’s festival is amazing to see and congratulations to the winners of the open art exhibition”.
Picture: Carol Miller’s winning painting
Contemporary arts festival opens
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
