Bolton Museum's Open Art Exhibition, featuring over 240 artworks by local artists and photographers, is closing on Sunday, March 17. The show includes paintings, photography, and sculptures from creators who live, work, or study in Bolton. Grand prize winner Richard Wood received £1,000 from the Mayor for his landscape 'Ghost Chimneys', while University of Greater Manchester student Olivia Edge won the Young Artist Award for her acrylic painting 'Rewilding'.
The exhibition matters because it highlights the depth of creative talent in a regional UK town, drawing hundreds of visitors and reinforcing Bolton's connection to the arts. Such community-focused shows provide a platform for emerging and established local artists, fostering cultural engagement and supporting the local creative economy.