STAFF AT a museum in Christchurch are appealing for artwork for its Open Art exhibition ahead of its planned reopening later this month.

The Red House Museum, which is operated by Hampshire Cultural Trust, will be able to give visitors a warm and safe welcome on Friday May 28 for the first time this year following the government’s announcement of the easing of lockdown restrictions.

Once re-opened, visitors will have the opportunity to book a final visit to the wonderful exhibition, Discworld® & Beyond: A Paul Kidby Retrospective.

The touring exhibition features the book jacket art and illustrations of Paul Kidby, one of the UK’s leading fantasy illustrators who is best known as the ‘artist of choice’ of best-selling author Sir Terry Pratchett, who sadly passed away from Alzheimer’s Disease in spring 2015.

The exhibition will be on until Sunday May 6 and there will also be a fun children’s trail around the museum over the half term as part of the exhibition.

Following on from Discworld® & Beyond: A Paul Kidby Retrospective, will be the Red House Museum’s Open Art Exhibition.

The museum is currently inviting artists in any medium to submit their artwork for this premier showcase event, which celebrates the rich and diverse skills of artists and crafts people across the area.

The exhibition provides an excellent opportunity for artists from both amateur and professional backgrounds to demonstrate their artistic skills and creative vision.

This will be the first Open Art exhibition held by the museum since 2018 and submissions are invited from artists until 5pm on Monday May 17.

Community Venue Manager at Red House Museum Laura Bullivant said: “We work hard to promote and celebrate our Open Art to support local artists to raise their profile and sell their work, and it feels right to be creating a platform for great local artists to display their creative talents after the tough time art makers have faced over the last year.

“It’s for this reason that we are so thrilled to have Jo Dyton, owner of contemporary art gallery, Hatch Gallery, on our selection panel.”

Jo Dyton will be presenting one of this year's prizes for best in show - a week’s free rental of exhibition space at Hatch Gallery, plus no commission charged on sales.

Prizes also include £100 for the best 2D artwork and £100 for the best 3D or textile piece, which will be presented by the Friends of the museum.

To submit your work, please visit hampshireculture.org.uk/red-house-museum-and-gardens.