Once again talented artists are showcasing their work at the hugely popular Oldham Open. The Oldham Open is held every two years. In 2026, as part of Oldham’s year as GM Town of Culture, the exhibition is bigger than ever before. Artworks are displayed across the two main gallery spaces as local artists share their creativity.
Over 250 pieces have been submitted, and these range from drawing, painting and photography to ceramics, jewelry, millinery and patchwork. A wide array of styles is on display over the two galleries. Some artists have depicted local subjects such as views of Delph, Dovestones Reservoir and Daisy Nook.
Visitors can vote for their favourite piece which will win the People’s Prize. Some of the work is also for sale so it is an ideal opportunity to pick up an early Christmas present for an art lover.
The artists include Janis Bowie whose subject matter varies from landscapes to scenes involving everyday life depicting people and textile mill interiors. Her two works on display in the Oldham Open 2026 are entitled Removing Roving Spools and Working in the Mill. She said: “My fascination with mill interiors started because many local mills were closing down and I wanted to preserve the memory of this once important industry.’
Textile work by Ellicott Wilcox is also featured. He explains ‘I’ve been living in the borough since 2010 and this is my fifth Oldham Open. I’ve been doing things with textiles on and off since 2000 and have been quilting since 2015. This year I have submitted a piece entitled Rooster Vortex.’
In 2024 fundraising by the Friends of Gallery Oldham provided an opportunity to purchase a painting, The Coliseum by Cliff Murphy, to add to the Gallery’s permanent collections. The Friends are keen to repeat the feat again this year and will be announcing their selected painting once the exhibition is open.
Head of Heritage, Libraries and Arts, Subnum Hariff-Khan, said “The Oldham Open is a great stage for people from all walks of life to display their work. This year we are hosting the exhibition over both Gallery 2 and 3 allowing more artwork than ever to be shown.”
The exhibition runs at Gallery Oldham, Greaves Street, until November 14 and features the work of people living, studying or working in the borough.
