EXHIBITION: St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery to hold its annual Open Exhibition from June 13 to July 25

The popular event is firmly established in the regional arts calendar and, with a growing number of prizes on offer, it now draws some of the best paintings, prints and drawings by artists from across the south east competing with regular entrants from Hampshire and Dorset.

The selling exhibition is open to both amateur and professional artists; there is no limitation as to subject matter or style as long as the artwork was created after January 2010, ensuring the display of an interesting and diverse range of works.

The chance to display artwork at the Open Exhibition is much sought after and highly competitive resulting in only the highest quality items being chosen by the panel of professional artists, which this year includes Bonnie Brown, Tim Craven and Gerry Dudgeon.

As the quality continues to rise, the judges have an ever-harder task in selectin

g items to be included.

Prizes include the Clarke Willmott Award for overall merit (£250), Lymington Business Centre Award (£200), Mary Symons Memorial Award for the best print (£250), the Coastal Gallery Award for best contemporary abstract art (£300) and the Beaulieu Fine Arts Award for best work by a non-professional artist who will receive £50 worth of framing.

Open Monday-Saturday, 10am-4pm.

Tickets, which include entry into the museum, cost £6 for adults, £5 for senior citizens and students, £3 for children aged five to 15 and £12 for a family of two adults and up to four children; under fives are admitted free of charge.

For more details visit stbarbe-museum.org.uk or telephone 01590 676969.

Pictured right: Christine Marlow Millennium Walk Surpassed acrylic