(Above) The hallowed halls of Gallery Oldham will be handed over to the public later this year
An art gallery is challenging stars of the future to win a place alongside works by leading artists, including rock and roll star John Squire and visual experimentalist Kevin Laycock.
Gallery Oldham is inviting entries for The Oldham Open 2009, a "visual feast" of mixed media open exclusively to local creators.
The Gallery is at the centre of Oldham's Cultural Quarter
Exhibition Curator Joy Thorpe urged residents to grab their paintbrushes, sketchbooks and cameras.
"It's all about celebrating the creativity and talents of Oldham," she explained, sounding optimistic about the potential dearth of undiscovered gems. "We hope to showcase work by a wide range of artists with different interests."
Picture: Peter Mackinven
The epicentre of the Lancashire town's Cultural Quarter, the Gallery stands alongside a £13 million Library and Lifelong Learning Centre, Theatre Workshop and Asian theatre company, built in a former Victorian museum building in 2006.
Exhibition takes place September 26 – November 28 2009. Open to Oldham residents only, submissions to be made with entry form between August 24 and September 2, 11am-4pm. Maximum of two works, entries with special requirements should be made by August 14. Visit Gallery Oldham online, email: galleryoldham@oldham.gov.uk, or call 0161 770 4653 for details.
