Rising stars of contemporary art light up Rugby Art Gallery and Museum

Artists from across Warwickshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Coventry were invited to submit pieces for this year's Open, with a panel of judges selecting the works to go on display.

Judges for Rugby Open 25 included Alona Pardo, director of the Arts Council Collection, Kyla Craig, creative director at the Coventry-based Art Riot Collective, Cllr Maggie O'Rourke, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for partnerships and wellbeing, and the Mayor of Rugby, Cllr Barbara Brown.

The exhibition includes dozens of pieces from across the arts, from textiles and ceramics to paintings and prints.

The overall winner of Rugby Open 25 scoops an increased prize this year to celebrate Rugby Art Gallery and Museum's 25th anniversary, receiving £1,000 with an additional £500 to stage a solo exhibition at the venue's Floor One Gallery.

The winner of the Rugby Youth Open receives a £250 prize.

Winners of Open 25 look set to be announced tomorrow (Friday) at a special exhibition preview and award ceremony at the Little Elborow Street venue, ahead of the exhibition's official opening on Saturday.

Cllr O'Rourke said: "We received hundreds of submissions for this year's Open and I know how difficult the judges found it to select the pieces for the exhibition, let alone the winners of this year's awards.

"The Rugby Open gives visitors a glimpse of the fantastic artistic talent we have in the borough and beyond, and artists the opportunity to showcase work in a professional gallery setting."

To mark Rugby Art Gallery and Museum's 25th anniversary, Open 25 has a supporting exhibition running alongside - 25 for 25.

The exhibition celebrates 25 years of the Rugby Open and features pieces from past Open exhibitors, capturing a quarter of a century of creativity, community and the evolving spirit of contemporary art in the borough.

Rugby Open 24 winner Anya Kalsi also opens her solo exhibition on Saturday at the venue's Floor One Gallery.

Anya, a recent fine art graduate from Lancaster University, hosts her exhibition until Saturday 13 December.

Cllr Neil Sandison, Rugby Borough Council's Liberal Democrat group spokesperson for partnerships and wellbeing, said: "We're so lucky to have this exhibition of Midlands talent, offering such a wide range of unique art works.

"We hope visitors to the exhibition enjoy the diversity of the art on display."

Rugby Open 25 runs at Rugby Art Gallery and Museum until Saturday 7 February 2026.

For more information about exhibitions and events at Rugby Art Gallery and Museum, visit www.ragm.co.uk