ARTISTS from across the borough are being encouraged to enter into the St Helens Open Art Exhibition 2017.

The exhibition, which will open at The World of Glass on July 1, is now in its sixth year and is a collaborative project between The World of Glass, St Helens Council, The Rainford Trust and the St Helens Star.

Deadline for entries is next weekend and entries can cover all media, including ceramics, digital, drawing, glass, mixed media, painting, photography and sculpture.

The exhibition is the biggest event for artists aged 16 and over who live, work or study in St Helens.

Also, this year £1,900 worth of prizes will be awarded at the preview and prizegiving on Tuesday, July 4.

Ron Helsby, executive director of The World of Glass, said: “This is the big event of the year on the St Helens art scene and an annual high point for so many local artists.

“Our decision to move the Open to the summer when the event relocated to our galleries six years ago has proved a big success.

“It now enjoys greater visitor numbers and the quality of the exhibits becomes higher every year.

“We are proud to be able to showcase the achievements of our local artists to the maximum number of local, regional and national visitors coming to The World of Glass.”

Hannah Longworth, curator of The World of Glass, added: “It’s a great opportunity to see new work coming forward as well as being an event that underlines The World of Glass’s reputation as a major centre for the arts in the region."

Artists may also present their work for sale, should they wish to do so.

Submission dates for entries are Saturday, June 24 from 11am to 4pm and Monday, June 26 from 2pm to 7pm at The World of Glass.

Entry forms can be collected from The World of Glass or any library in St Helens.

They can also be downloaded from the St Helens Council website.