Arts Keele

Vibrant public arts programme of visual art, exhibitions, music, poetry, performance & more

05/06/2026

🎉 Happy Stoke‑on‑Trent Day! 🎉
Today we celebrate the second ever , marking the moment in 1925 when King George V granted our city its official status — and what a city it has become.

Stoke‑on‑Trent Day is a chance to honour our history, our culture, our landscapes, our creativity and the incredible communities that call this place home.

✨ Join the celebration:
• Share your favourite photos of the city
• Post your favourite thing about Stoke‑on‑Trent
• Upload a birthday message
• Host or join a tea party and share your pictures using and

Don’t forget — a free exhibition at Stoke Minster is revisiting last year’s unforgettable Big Centenary Tea Party through photography, film, sound and interactive displays. A perfect way to relive a moment that brought thousands together.

Whether you’re celebrating with friends, family, neighbours or colleagues, today is all about pride, community and the city we love.

💛 Happy Birthday, Stoke‑on‑Trent!
Here’s to our past, our present and everything still to come.

03/06/2026

Celebrating Every Stage of the Artistic Journey

For decades, the Three Counties Open Art Exhibition has championed creativity across Staffordshire, Cheshire, and Shropshire — offering a platform where emerging artists stand proudly alongside mid‑career and established creators.

This year is no exception.
✨ 308 submissions
✨ 55% newcomers bringing fresh perspectives
✨ A strong community of returning amateur and professional artists whose experience enriches the exhibition year after year

Our mission has always been simple: to open the doors wide and celebrate the full spectrum of artistic talent in our region. Thank you to everyone who entered — you are the heart of this exhibition!

All entrants will receive notification of whether their submission has been successful or not this year, by 01 July 2026 - we're currently working hard collating all entries to enable the judging process.

Look out for future posts introducing our submissions and awards judges 👀

Photo Credit; Jenny Harper, visitors to Three Counties 2025 taking a careful look at the work on display.

25/05/2026

🚨 LAST DAY TO SUBMIT YOUR ARTWORK! 🚨
This is it — your final chance to enter the Three Counties Open Art Exhibition 2026!

If you’re an artist from, living in, or connected to Staffordshire, Cheshire or Shropshire, today is the last day to get your work in. Don’t miss your opportunity to be part of our 30th anniversary celebration of creativity across the region.

We’re once again exhibiting in the stunning Ballroom at Fenton Town Hall — a beautifully restored space full of character, complete with an onsite café serving homemade refreshments.

Entry is completely free, and we welcome all visual art forms:
🎨 Painting
🖨 Printmaking
✏️ Drawing
📸 Photography
🗿 Sculpture
🧵 Textiles
🎥 Moving image
🧩 Installation
…and more.

📅 Deadline: TONIGHT – Monday 25 May at midnight!!
📅 Exhibition Launch: Saturday 8 August, 11am–3pm
📅 Open to the Public: 8–29 August, Tues–Sat, 11am–3pm
📍 The Ballroom, Fenton Town Hall, Albion Square, Fenton, ST4 3AF

Submit via the online entry form and email your artwork images. Full guidelines are available to download.

Questions: [email protected]

Let’s make this milestone year unforgettable — get your submission in today! 🎉

24/05/2026

Help celebrate Stoke‑on‑Trent Day! 📸💛

Can you believe it’s almost a year since the very first Stoke‑on‑Trent Day celebrations? As the SOT100 legacy builds and we look back on the incredible moments of 2025, there's an opportunity for YOU to help bring the city to life again.

On Friday 5 June, everyone is invited to share their favourite things about Stoke‑on‑Trent — the places, the people, the memories, the moments that make our city special.

✨ How you can take part:
• Share your favourite photos of Stoke‑on‑Trent
• Post a video wishing the city a Happy Birthday
• Celebrate your community, heritage, creativity or local pride
• Use so we can see and share your posts

Last year’s Big Centenary Tea Party brought together 15,000 people across 169 venues — a true celebration of Vis Unita Fortior (United Strength is Stronger). This year, is about keeping that spirit alive.

Whether you’re snapping new images or digging out your favourite shots from 2025, your city needs you to help celebrate everything that makes Stoke‑on‑Trent extraordinary.

Let’s fill social media with Stokie pride this June.

22/05/2026

📸 Calling all photographers — this one’s for you!

The Urban Wilderness CIC Photography Award & Residency 2026 is one of the most exciting opportunities linked to the Three Counties Open Art Exhibition, and we’re shining a spotlight on it to encourage photographers across Staffordshire, Cheshire and Shropshire to get involved.

This award is designed to support emerging photographers in developing their craft, building confidence and gaining real‑world experience. If you’re passionate about capturing people, place, community or the relationship between urban life and nature, this could be the perfect next step in your creative journey.

✨ What the Award & Residency offers:
• Expert Training — Learn directly from renowned photographer Jenny Harper
• Mentorship — Portfolio development and support from Isla Telford on grant applications and open commissions
• Community Access — Photograph Urban Wilderness CIC community events and document the energy of urban spaces
• Exhibition Opportunities — Showcase your work both online and at the Moony Club

This is a rare chance to grow your skills, expand your portfolio and gain meaningful experience in a supportive, creative environment.

If you’re a photographer with a connection to the Three Counties, make sure you submit your work to the Three Counties Open Art Exhibition 2026 — because opportunities like this start with getting your work seen.

📅 Submit your artwork by midnight on 25 May
You’ve got to be in it to win it!!

Follow the below link to find out more about the exhibition as well as access to the online entry form;
https://www.keele.ac.uk/about/artskeele/threecountiesopenart2026/

Image Credit; Jenny Harper, Three Counties 2025 Awards Event

21/05/2026

🎉 Lymelight Festival is back this Bank Holiday weekend — and ArtsKeele is proud to support FREE creative workshops for all! 🎨✨

Newcastle‑under‑Lyme is gearing up for one of its biggest weekends of the year as Lymelight Festival returns on Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th May. Expect a huge celebration of grassroots music, creativity and community right in the heart of the town centre.

With over 60 live acts, three outdoor stages, evening performances in local independent venues, plus street food, markets, family activities and more, it’s set to be an unforgettable weekend.

🎶 Stages across the town:
• Guildhall Stage
• Ironmarket Stage
• 6 Towns Radio Acoustic Stage
• Plus performances at The Rigger, Artisan Tap & The Crossways

And don’t miss the FREE creative workshops proudly supported by ArtsKeele, taking place at the Lancaster Building:

🎨 Album Art Workshop with Ian Mood
📅 Saturday 23 May
⏰ 2pm–5pm

🖨 Block Printing Workshop with Le Peche Art
📅 Sunday 24 May
⏰ 1pm–4pm

Whether you’re into music, making, or just soaking up the festival atmosphere, there’s something for everyone.

Come along, get creative, and be part of one of Staffordshire’s biggest cultural weekends. See you there!

20/05/2026

🌞 Join the ArtsKeele Volunteer Team this August!

The Three Counties Open Art Exhibition returns to the beautiful Fenton Town Hall Ballroom this summer — and we’re celebrating 30 years of incredible creativity across Staffordshire, Cheshire and Shropshire.

We’re looking for volunteers to help us create a warm, inclusive and inspiring experience for the thousands of visitors who come through our doors each year. Whether you love chatting with people or prefer quieter, behind‑the‑scenes tasks, there’s a place for you in our team.

✨ Why volunteer with us?
• Gain hands‑on experience in an arts & cultural setting
• Learn new skills and boost your CV
• Meet artists, curators and fellow art lovers
• Enjoy free refreshments (and lunch if you’re with us 4+ hours)
• Receive travel & access cost reimbursements
• Get a reference for future opportunities
• Spend time surrounded by contemporary art
• Be part of a friendly, supportive team with full induction and guidance

One of our past volunteers said:

“This experience has not just helped me learn but solidified that this is now something I’d like to do as a career.”

We know everyone brings different strengths — and we’ll work with you to find a role that suits your comfort level and availability. Whether you can spare a few hours or a few days, we’d love to hear from you.

📄 More information about roles:
PDF & Word versions available in our Volunteer Information Pack, just follow the below link:
https://www.keele.ac.uk/about/artskeele/ournews/

📧 Interested? Email us: [email protected]
Contact: Kerry Jones & Deb Hilditch, ArtsKeele

19/05/2026

Three Counties 2026 Awards Spotlight
🏭 ACAVA Studios Artist Development Award – Social Media Post

Looking for space, time and support to grow your practice?
The ACAVA Studios Artist Development Award offers a 3‑month Open Studio residency at ACAVA Spode Works, plus a public engagement outcome.

This award supports artists through “the opportunity to undertake a three‑month Open Studio residency… fostering community interaction and showcasing the artist’s work.”

Submit to the exhibition by 25 May for a chance to be selected.
You’ve got to be in it to win it!

Click on the Three Counties 2026 tab on the ArtsKeele webpage to find out more and to enter.

Image credit; Jenny Harper. Photograph features one of last year's winners of the Acava Award, Jon Paul Green, alongside Dan Southward Acava Stoke Studio Manager with Kerry Jones and Deb Hilditch of ArtsKeele.

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University
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Website

http://www.keele.ac.uk/artskeele, https://www.keele.ac.uk/about/artskeele/threecountiesopenart2025/

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