Art Fair Cheshire returned in style with art lovers hailing its success.
The prestigious exhibition, run by volunteers and in aid of East Cheshire Hospice, ended on Sunday (June 5).
Visitors admired over 1,000 pieces of artwork, including a display by Bollington artist Sue Asbury whose exhibit won a Cheshire Life award.
Artist Jennie Gaywood with her work on display at Art Fair Cheshire 2022
Judges included Hannah Williamson, from Macclesfield, curator at Manchester Art Gallery for 11 years.
Hannah said: “The standard of exhibits at this year’s fair was once again of the highest quality showing the immense artistic talent out there.”
Artists donated at least 40 per cent of sales to the Hospice which will help support its art therapy unit, run by Fay Mitchell, who was also a judge.
Art Fair Cheshire, with AstraZeneca and Little Greene as headline sponsors, was last held in 2019.
From left, judge Hannah Williamson; Art Fair co-chair Georgie Johnson; Cheshire Life editor Joanne Goodwin; Art Fair co-chair Steven Dalton and East Cheshire Hospice Chief Executive Karyn Johnston.
Co-chair Georgie Johnson said: “We’re very lucky to work with some fantastically creative and talented people. We’d like to thank our sponsors, volunteers, artists and curators for supporting the Hospice.”
Hospice Chief Executive Karyn Johnston said: “The galleries are amazing. An unbelievable amount of voluntary work has gone into staging the event and I’d like to thank all those involved.
“The Hospice only receives 12 per cent of its income from the NHS and needs to raise the rest, so this is one of the major events in our fundraising calendar.”
Exhibitors included Celia Davies, from Whalley, Lancashire, who runs art classes on cruise ships. She said: “This is my first visit here and having exhibits helps raise the profile of my work.”
An oil painting called ‘A Dream in Motion’ by Lara Balcerzak, from Manchester, featured in an emerging artists gallery. Lara said: “I’ve always wanted to be an artist and got my art degree in 2019. It’s nice to have my work displayed at such a prestigious art fair.”
Winners of the Cheshire Life gallery awards, presented by editor Joanne Goodwin, were:
Assembly Gallery: Ghislaine Howard, Olga Geoghegan, Sue Asbury. Capesthorne Gallery: Francesca de Campora, Rachel Cooke. Emerging Artists: Sarah-Joy Ford.
Artwork on display in Macclesfield Town Hall
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