MORE than 180 works by amateur and professional artists from Oxford are being showcased at a new exhibition in the city this month.

Organised by Oxford Art Society, which has been exhibiting in the city for more than 125 years, the Open Exhibition is a chance to celebrate the work of talented painters, printmakers and sculptors.

Work has been submitted from artists who live in Oxford or within 30 miles of the city – including both OAS members and members of the public.

Lucy Stopford, chairman of the society, said: “With 185 pieces this is our biggest ever open exhibition.

“We had 314 submissions and of them 89 were from non-members, which is also the largest from outside the society.

"It is very exciting as it shows how strong the interest in art is in the city.”

There has also been a wide variety of pieces submitted according to Ms Stopford, who said: “We have everything from lifesize sculptures to small, intricate pieces.

“There’s a huge range of mediums and everyone from celebrated professional artists to self-taught amateurs and I think that is what makes the exhibition so special."

Many of the pieces that are featured in the show are available to purchase and Ms Stopford said there was plenty of variety there too, explaining: "We have pieces ranging from under £100 all the way up to some that are £17,000."

She added: “There’s a lot of portraits this year, which I think is because we have Philip Mould, who has received an OBE for his work preserving portraiture."

The exhibition was officially opened by the art dealer, writer and broadcaster on Friday night at a special showcase.

Mr Mould, who has made a number of major art discoveries, also presented the prizes to the winner and runners-up of The Young Artist Competition, which the society has run since 2016.

First place and a £500 prize went to Laura Eagle for her acrylic painting 'The Potato House'.

Stephen Nulty took second place for his mixed-media painting 'The Final Scene', and the third prize was for 'Portrait of a gypsy in charcoal' by Merun Bateman-Paris.

The runner ups received £300 and £200 respectively.

Ms Stopford said: "This is the third year we've had the young artist competition and for the first time we decided to have not just the one winner but two runner ups as well."

The exhibition will be at The Cloister Gallery, St John the Evangelist Church, Iffley Road, until October 14.

It will be open between 10am and 5pm each day and is free to view.

For more information about the Oxford Art Society or the exhibition visit /oxfordartsociety.co.uk/