Banburyshire art gallery announces winner of competition

The votes are in and The Heseltine Gallery has announced Chris Dicken with his photograph 'Scilly Sea' as the winner of its ‘People’s Choice Award’ for its ‘Focus on Photography’ exhibition.

The Heseltine Gallery, located on the Chenderit School campus in Middleton Cheney, aims to showcase the work of local and regional artists and craftspeople, as well as celebrate the achievements of students, through a busy programme of events.

The public have been voting online for their favourite image from the ‘Focus on Photography’ exhibition, which gave professional and emerging photographers the chance to showcase their talents and enter an ‘open’ photography exhibition.

Submitting their work to a selection panel, the chosen images were showcased at the gallery just before lockdown hit.

While the physical exhibition closed the Friends of the Heseltine Gallery managed to produce an online exhibition, which meant visitors could still enjoy the exhibition in the comfort of their homes.

As part of the exhibition, the public were asked to vote for their favourite photograph, the winning entry to win the ‘People’s Choice Award’ and a framing voucher sponsored by T Hewlett Framing.

Chris Dicken also managed to swoop Best Abstract with his popular image in the exhibition’s category prizes.

Chris said: “It was a real shock to receive the news as I had forgotten about the final award, a really nice surprise. Thanks to everyone that voted.”

If you didn’t manage to see the exhibition, you can still catch it online at www.theheseltinegallery.org.uk/focus-on-photography The Heseltine Gallery remains closed under government advice, but hopes to re-open in the autumn.

Stay connected with their online exhibitions through their new website and social media platforms.