VAC Winter Open Exhibition

Visual Arts Cheshire Winter Open Exhibition
Fri 18 October - Sat 16 November
VAC Gallery, 93 Brunner Court, Witton St, Northwich. Cheshire CW9 5DR
Open Monday - Saturday (closed Wednesday) from 10.30am - 4.00pm
Free Entry






Click here to see a full list of Winter Open Entries

People's Choice Vote
Voting is now closed - 200 voting slips were returned! Congratulations to Bernice Tackley whose 'Weaver Cargo' came out top of the poll. The painting depicts an industrial scene from the Anderton Basin in the 1930s and was created especially for the VAC Winter Open. The Top Ten exhibits have all been labelled, so call in and see whether your taste is in line with the popular vote. The exhibition finishes on Sat 16th Nov.

1st - Weaver Cargo - Bernice Tackley

2nd - Winter in the Pennines - Ian Barnett

3rd - Resist - Sam Houston



Entry Details

What is eligible? Paintings, prints, textiles, ceramics, photography and sculpture are all eligible. Work must be original and produced by the entrant.

Submission dates for ENTRIES – Thurs 10th to Mon 14th Oct (from 10:30am to 4:30pm – excluding Sun 13th Oct). There is a charge of £4 per item, payable with your entry. This is a non-returnable admin fee. All entries to be delivered to Visual Art Cheshire Gallery (near Northwich Library). You will be informed by telephone, text message or email whether your pieces have been selected or not.

UNSELECTED WORK to be collected on Wed 16th or Thurs 17st Oct (between 11:00am and 6:00pm).

COLLECTION DATES - All exhibited work to be collected on Mon 18th or Tues 19th Nov (between 11:00am and 4:00pm). Later collection is possible through arrangement with VAC Gallery

PRIVATE VIEW EVENING – Friday 18th Oct at 7pm (for exhibitors and guests)

PLEASE READ THROUGH ALL CONDITIONS

  • 3 submissions max per person - at least 1 of which must be for sale. 
  • Exhibits must be covered by your own insurance. 
  • A luggage label must be attached to the back of your submission by string. The label must show your name, your artwork's title, medium and selling price (if applicable). Please also write your name onto a sticky label attached to the back of your work. 
  • VAC will charge 25% commission for each sold item. Please bear this in mind when pricing your exhibit. 
  • Mirror plates must be attached to your framed work - no clip frames, string, wires or hooks will be allowed. Please discuss with gallery staff if unsure. 
  • Secure cabinets are available for small and medium sized artwork. 
  • We have several plinths - contact us if you think you will need one. For large pieces (over 1 meter square) check with us for space availability. 
  • The exhibits selected for display will be chosen by a selection panel. 
  • Please contact us with any queries or special requests.- visualartscheshire@gmail.com

Click here to download or print the entry form, or collect from the VAC Gallery.

Northwich Poems by
Charlotte Peters Rock

Four poems about Northwich by Charlotte Peters Rock.

A Silence of Coffins and Salt 














The coffins – the ponies – the men on the walk
From Northwich to Macclesfield all through the night
Are moving the money by moving the salt
Away from the tax man – so nobody talk
And silence will serve us alright
A silence of coffins and salt


Little Castle by the Arches 














The little castle – just beside the river
Below the pink stone arches meant to lift
The trains – is modest – set behind its railings
Seven windows staring round it – eyes adrift

A red brick circle crowned by castellations
A band of sandstone where the teeth begin
White painted stonework tops and tails the windows
And somewhere – there’s a door to let us in

Inside – the treasure – guarded by the castle
In gleaming metal – panels red and green
The engines and the pumps to shift the sewage
To clear the typhus – polio and unseen

Diseases which would kill the population
Were pumped away efficiently – and yet
There’s little now to show – except this treasure
Ingenious working by the arches set

The little castle – just beside the river
The treasure more important far than gold
Should not be overlooked – its work was clever
It brought us life - and every thing we hold

Don’t think – oh please don’t think it’s unimportant
This strong foundation for the public health
Was one small step to serve a healthy nation
Look back – and see the reason for your wealth


Mean - an The Poor 








Well the paupers in the workowse
They ave nuthin left to live for
They separate the children
An the usban from iz wife
An they set im breakin stones up
An they set er pickin oakum
An they do it all as punishment
Its not a pretty life

An the masters in the Boardroom
They don’t want to elp the pauper
Nor elp the pauper’s children
Nor the usban nor the wife
An their meanness from their riches
Is an evil in the Parish
They do wat they’re told by Government
Its not a pretty life

All the workers payin taxes
Tryin ard to shut the fear out
They mark the pauper children
An the usban an the wife
As ‘people we could never be’
We’re all workin ard an decent
An the paupers ways are indigent
Its not a pretty life

Yet there before em weep the poor
An the Grace of God as left um
Its taken out on children
An the usban an the wife
Their charity is cold an ard
The proffered and is withered
An there’s nuthin of democracy
Its not a pretty life


Northwich House 










The frame’s alright
Oh yes – I know
The frame was quite
Alright – as you can see

But still er toppled
Overnight
Er toppled back
An threw uz out a bed

An those strong fellows
Barrered out
Our goods – in case
The whole thing went

They came an brought their jacks
An over days
Oh, several days or so
They set it straight

We moved back in
Yet I can’t sleep
What if another hole below
Just opened up

Just opened up
An took us down
The dog an all the kiddies
Down to hell

The preacher’s sermon
Spoke of hell
An I’m afraid of that
So I don’t sleep


You can see more poems and songs by Charlotte on her blog.











Poems are © Charlotte Peters Rock.

Griffiths Park Sculptures

Three sculptures at Griffiths Park, Rudheath, plus signage. Access to the park is next to the Co-op on Middlewich Road.




Breaking the Mould




Gene Pod



Spider in Time



Millifolium (Vandalised and Removed)










Information Sheet A Download

Information Sheet B Download

St Helen's Church Open Day

Open Day at St Helen's Church, with Art and Craft Fair, and a chance to climb the 97 steps up the tower, and demonstration of bell ringing.












Artisan Market - Saturday 14 September

Entertainment in Brunner Court organised by DAN. Thanks to Michael Taylor, Iain Bowley and Northwich Folk Club, Todd Shorrock, Complicated Duo, Spencer Group and 146 Sqd (Northwich) ATC Band.

The Artisan Market returns to Northwich on 12 October, 9 November and 14 December.