The deadline is looming for Lichfield and Burntwood artists and film makers to submit work for inclusion in the Staffordshire Open Art Exhibition 2010.

The exhibition at the Shire Hall Gallery in Stafford is the annual showcase for some of best artistic and creative talent in the county, attracting over 15,000 visitors each year.

A top prize of £1,250 and a specially commissioned glass trophy, kindly donated by Staffordshire Railway Building Society, the exhibition’s main sponsor this year is up for grabs amongst other cash prizes sponsored by local businesses.

Artists and film makers of any age who were born in Staffordshire or who live, work or study in the county are invited to bring their work in to the Shire Hall Gallery on April 23 and 24. Artists may submit up to three works in total.  Entries can include paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, sculpture, film, animation and 3D mixed media.

Budding young artists are also invited to get in on the act and submit work for the Under 16s category which is displayed in the Shire Hall Library during the course of the exhibition.

County Councillor Ben Adams, Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture said:

“We are delighted to welcome Elizabeth Hawley, Visual Arts officer, Arts Council England, West Midlands and Lisa Henderson, Artist and Art Historian as our selectors for the Staffordshire Open Art Exhibition this year.  The standard of entries seems to get better and better each year.  It’s never an easy task to choose work for the exhibition, I wish our selectors well and look forward to seeing the work that they choose for the final exhibition.”

For an entry form call 01785 278345 or visit www.staffordshire.gov.uk/sams.

Staffordshire Open Art Exhibition opens to the public on May 15 and will run until July 11.

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.