Exhibition attracts international exhibitors

A South American student will be among dozens of amateur artists displaying their work at a County Durham gallery later this month.

An image ('Circus' pictured) by Diana Afanador from Bogota, Columbia will feature in Durham County Council’s second annual Spring Open Art Exhibition at Locomotion, which opens next week.

Diana, who is currently studying for an MA in fine art at Northumbria University, heard about the event from her friend and fellow artist Sarah Genner. Sarah graduated from Manchester University but has been living in Columbia for the past five years.

Their work will be on display at The National Railway Museum, Shildon from Monday, 19 April to Sunday, 9 May.

David Newell, Durham County Council Community Arts Coordinator, said: “Having artists from as far away as South America entering the competition is a big plus for County Durham. Diana and Sarah’s work will be on display alongside a wide variety of pieces from local artists, all of which is once again of a particularly high standard.”

The winner of the competition, who will receive a £1,000 prize, will be announced at a preview of the exhibition on Sunday, 18 April.

The winner will be chosen by a panel of expert judges from the art world, with prizes of £500 and £250 will also being awarded to second and third place runners up.