A NEW exhibition by the first prize winners of the Poole Open Exhibition is being showcased at Poole Museum.

The open arts exhibition was aimed at highlighting the work of artists, designers and makers working in all media. UK based artists over 16 were invited to submit work that responded to any of the key themes of the collections in Poole Museum.

More than 200 works were put forward to the selection panel, which included Alison Bevan, director of the Royal West of England Academy. From this, works by 67 artists were chosen for the exhibition and were displayed at Poole Museum in May 2014.

Joint winners were Kerry Fairclough, who graduated from the Arts University Bournemouth in 2014 with a BA (Hons) in Fine Art and Jason Miller, Dorset based painter and sculptor.

In choosing them as joint winners, the judges were particularly impressed with the intensity of connection with world around them expressed in their paintings. As part of their prize they were awarded the chance to display their work in the museum's temporary exhibition galleries.

"It’s wonderful to be able to see contemporary artwork that has been inspired by the artists’ local surroundings and to celebrate the success of the Poole Open once again,” said Michael Spender, museum manager, Borough of Poole.

Kerry's work on display explores the idea of the weather and the obsession that we have with it.

Jason's preferred working materials are watercolour and gauche on heavy paper and acrylic on canvas or sculpted wooden panels. In the works on display he explores light and colour in a series of abstract pieces.

The free exhibition runs from Friday January 8 until Sunday March 6. Opening times are Tuesdays – Saturdays, 10am – 4pm and Sundays 12 noon – 4pm.