The Heseltine Open Exhibition 2025 is currently on view at the Heseltine Gallery in Middleton Cheney, UK, through December 14. Featuring over 60 adult artists and a record 17 youth entries, the show includes paintings, drawings, prints, pottery, glasswork, textiles, photography, and mixed media. Awards were presented by John Childs, Chief Art Examiner for OCR and gallery founder, and Tom Christy, Head of Art and Design at Chenderit School. Commended artists include ceramicists Julia Taylor and Sue Clayton, glass artist Jill Tilsbury, wire sculptor Linda Johns, and several painters and photographers. Two young artists, Lottie Clarke and Annika Dowden, received the Brian Goodey memorial prize.
This exhibition matters because it highlights the vitality of regional visual art communities in the UK, providing a platform for both established and emerging local artists. The gallery’s free admission and community-run model make art accessible to the public, while the sale of works directly supports artists and the gallery. The record youth participation signals growing engagement with visual arts among younger generations in the area.