AN EXHIBITION that showcases artistic talent from across the East Midlands will open at Leicester’s flagship museum next Wednesday (26 November).
Open: The People’s Exhibition at Leicester Museum & Art Gallery will feature works by local people – from complete beginners to seasoned professionals – that were selected by a panel of independent judges from more than 1,000 entries.
The paintings, sculptures, textiles, prints and photographs on display in Gallery 11 have been created by artists aged 19 and over who live or study in Leicester, Leicestershire, Rutland, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire or Northamptonshire.
Work by young artists aged five to 18 is also on display – this year in its own space in the adjacent Gallery 15 – with a number of schools in the region also taking part.
Cllr Vi Dempster, assistant city mayor for culture, said: “The annual Open exhibition always attracts a huge amount of interest from all kinds of talented people, and this year we’ll be presenting the work of more than 500 local artists and makers.
“The Open provides a platform for emerging and established artists to showcase their work in the fabulous surroundings of Leicester Museum & Art Gallery, and it’s a great way to celebrate the rich artistic diversity of the region.
“From Wednesday (26 November), members of the public will be able see all these extraordinary works for themselves – and perhaps be inspired to take part next year.”
The Open exhibition at Leicester Museum & Art Gallery opens to the public on Wednesday 26 November and runs until Friday 30 January 2026.
Admission is free of charge.
All the artworks in the adult category are available to buy, with prices starting at £50. Purchased pieces can be collected from the museum after the exhibition closes at the end of January.
Leicester City Council is grateful to the following organisations for their generous sponsorship:
- Arch Creative
- Art House
- Leicester Museums & Galleries Development Trust
- Contemporary Visual Arts Network (CVAN) East Midlands
- Curve
- De Montfort Hall
- LCB Depot
- Leicester Gallery
- Leicester Print Workshop
- Leicester Lo-Fi Photography
- Soft Touch Arts
- Phoenix