Gallery to showcase wealth of Oldham’s art talents

FLASHBACK to the 2011 Oldham Open exhbition and artist Cliff Murphy, left, presenting a painting of Mumps to Gallery Oldham’s Joy Thorpe, while Gordon Clegg receives the People’s Prize for his work

GALLERY Oldham has launched its autumn and winter programme — which includes the return of the popular Oldham Open art exhibition from this weekend.

The biennial exhibition runs from Saturday to November 16.

Gallery curator Joy Thorpe said: “This ever-popular exhibition showcases artists living or working in the borough.

“It promises to be a visual feast and always includes a diverse range of work — from drawing, painting and photography to ceramics, jewellery and sculpture. It is also a great opportunity to buy work by local artists.”

Speaking about the new season, she said: “ We have more exhibitions, activities and events for families. We are holding events, courses, talks and concerts, as well as popular schools workshops and family activities.”

The gallery has a new permanent exhibition about the borough - Oldham Stories: Encounters With Our Collections. Mrs Thorpe said: “It is packed full of Oldham stories, in response to visitor feedback.

“People can see some of our most treasured artifacts, alongside items that might surprise them.

“We have brought together objects from our natural history, social history and art collections to highlight Oldham’s past and present.