Castle Park Arts Centre Newsletter August 2026

Newsletter: August 2026
Welcome to our regular newsletter where will cover all of the exciting things we have been up to, and what we have coming up including:
  • Community Day & Open Art Studios – Saturday 29th August
  • 41st Annual Open Exhibition – entries open now!
  • Our next 5 exhibitors
  • Workshops & Courses
 
Keep reading to find out more!
WHAT’S BEEN GOING ON?
Our team of Trustees, Staff and Volunteers have been working hard behind the scenes on a number of different things here at Castle Park Arts Centre this Summer.
 
NEW WEBSITE
We have a brand new website which we are pleased with.  If you haven’t yet seen it then take a look here. We worked with a really talented web designer, Gareth from Ionic Creative Design, who went above and beyond to create a website that meets the needs of our artists, our creatives, our artisans and most importantly, our loyal community.
A picture that shows the top section of the homepage of our new website featuring an image of the clocktower, and the words 'Art, Community & Creativity at heart...'
A sneak peek of our new website!
 
40TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS
We celebrated our 40th Anniversary with a special exhibition in Gallery 3 with some very special visitors including Liz and Alun Evans who helped create the creative Centre we have today.
A photo of Liz and Alun Evans receiving a thank you gift from Trustee Hugh Hoather for their hard work and vision for our Centre.
Liz and Alun Evans receiving a thank you gift for their hard work and vision for our Centre.
 
PORTAIT ARTIST COMPETITION – ENTRIES ARE IN!
We received a grand total of 38 applications for our inaugural Portrait Artist of Castle Parkcompetition which will take place on Sunday 4th October (mark it in your calendar,  it will be a special Sunday opening and spectators are welcomed!). Thank you so much to everyone that submitted an entry; the selection committee had a really tough job. We hope to announce the artists selected soon and some final details for the event, but in the mean time we can tell you about our two fabulous local sitters… Tim Firth and Mick Flaherty.
A picture of Tim Firth's head and shoulders and text which is the bio that is written in the section below.
A picture of Mick Flaherty's head and shoulders and text which is the bio that is written in the section below.
Tim Firth was born in Frodsham and is an award-winning playwright, screenwriter and composer. A member of the Cambridge Footlights, whose works include Calendar Girls, Kinky Boots & The Flint Street Nativity.
 
Mick Flaherty is a former British Army Serviceman, who served for more than 30 years. Now a Frodsham local, he writes comedy, satire and short mystery fiction – including the bestselling Frodsham Files books and the Frodsham Whodunnits series. 
 
20X20 EXHIBITION
Our second 20×20 Exhibition was a roaring success!  Last year, in its first year, 91 artists took part displaying 300 pieces. This year 139 artists have exhibited with a display of over 400 pieces of work.   This exhibition including entry fees and sales raises vital funds for the centre so big thanks again to Peter Appleton and our Arts Volunteers for making this happen.
One of the gallery walls, packed full with 200 entries of pictures size 20cm by 20cm.
The back wall of Gallery 2, packed full of wonderful 20/20 pictures.
 
SUMMER SIZZLER & MUSICAL AFTERNOON TEA
Our Cafe and events team have been very busy with on-site events. Our annual Summer Sizzlerthis year was a sellout! We also had a visit from One Voice Choir for a special afternoon event with tea and cake!
A photo of the band playing on stage and five ladies dancing with flower garlands around their neck, under a big marquee.
Summer Sizzler in full swing!
 
AN EXCITING VISIT
Emma (our Charity Manager) and Dee (Deputy Chair of our Arts Committee) went to visit Foxlowe Arts Centre in Leek, Staffordshire and we are extremely grateful to chair of the Foxlowe TrusteesChris Thompson for being so hospitable and giving up so much time to show them around and for sharing best practice, resources and ideas.  We highly recommend paying them a visit to check out their gallery, theatre spaces and lovely cafe!
A photo of Emma (Charity Manager) and Dee (Volunteer) with Chris Thompson (Foxlowe Trustee) standing on the steps outside the front door of Foxlowe Arts Centre in Leek, Staffordshire.
Emma (Charity Manager) and Dee (Volunteer) with Chris Thompson (Foxlowe Trustee) outside Foxlowe Arts Centre in Leek, Staffordshire. 
 
That is just a taster of what our Trustees, staff and volunteers have been up to this last 6 weeks or so. Watch this space for more developments here at Castle Park Arts Centre!
 
CALL TO ARTISTS
Our 41st Annual Open Exhibition 2026 is now open for entries!
Click here for the ARTIST CALL
Advert for 41st Annual Open Art Exhibition 2026 that has some images from last year, of a tiger, a man's face wearing glasses, a still life of jugs, a ceramic bowl, a boat and an abstract landscape of trees. It says entry deadline is 3rd October 2026.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Saturday 3rd October 2026, 4pm
 
EXHIBITION DATES: 13th November – 23rd December 2026
 
OPEN EVENING: Friday 13th November 7-9 pm. All are welcome
 
Cash prize for Best In Show, a Local Business Award and a prize sponsored by our Arts Committee for Young Artists
 
CHRISTMAS COMPETITION
Our 2026 Christmas Card Competition is open for entries
 
Anyone can enter, and all we ask is that your design is festive and gives a nod to our Arts Centre and the local community. Works must be created by you, no AI please!
Email your design to arts@castleparkarts.co.uk
Advert for 41st Annual Open Art Exhibition 2026 that has some images from last year, of a tiger, a man's face wearing glasses, a still life of jugs, a ceramic bowl, a boat and an abstract landscape of trees. It says entry deadline is 3rd October 2026.
ENTRY DEADLINE: Friday 25th September 12pm
 
NEW EXHIBITIONS
All of these exhibitions are on from 11th August to the 19th September.
Meet the Artist Open Evening is on Friday 14 August 2026, 7 – 9 pm.
Everyone welcome.
 
Click on the images to find out more about the artists and their exhibited works
 
 
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
UPCOMING COURSES
ART GROUP SPACES
UPCOMING EVENTS
Join us for our first ever Community Day & Open Studios! We are throwing open our doors to show you everything we have to offer.  Our community groups, workshop leaders and studio artists will tell you exactly why they love it here – and we want you to tell us what keeps bringing you back.  Drop in and see us and tell us what you think.
 
 
Harbour Moon at Castle Park Arts Centre for the first time.
An evening of acoustic music, songs, stories and laughs featuring the exceptional voice of Carole Newby with Paul Reaney & Ian Davies. Please note that this performance will be an acoustic trio
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COURTYARD CAFE
Our Summer menu features freshly made light lunches and drinks.
Dogs welcome!
Opening Hours
Tuesday – Saturday / 10:00am – 3.30pm
(Closed Sunday & Monday)
 
Click here for the menu and for more information.
 
Don’t forget
ELEVENSES!
Live music in the Courtyard Tues to Sat  
11.00am
Click here to see the line up
 
OUR VOLUNTEERS
Castle Park Arts Centre is run largely by dedicated volunteers who give their time, skills and enthusiasm to keep this place thriving. We rely on our volunteer team for everything from staffing the galleries and hanging exhibitions to helping at events and supporting the café.
 
One group in particular show up to volunteer twice a week without fail, in heatwaves, in wind storms and in torrential rain: our Castle Park Art Centre Volunteer Gardeners.
 
Here is an update on some of the work they have undertaken this last 6 weeks.
 
If you have some spare time and would like to join our team of volunteers (not just gardening), do get in touch. No experience in the arts is needed — just a friendly manner, reliability and a willingness to help. We’ll train you, support you and make sure you feel part of our community from day one.
 
Click HERE to find out more about the roles available and to register your interest.
 
REVIEWS
Our Centre seeks to offer a 5 star visitor experience.  Don’t just take our word for it – here’s some 5 star reviews from TripAdvisor!

Delightful experience

 
 
Have been enjoying 11am coffee mornings complete with entertainment. Lovely and efficient staff . Nice menu with something for everyone. Nice place to rest , for a while after a stroll around delightful Castle Park . Both indoor and outdoor serving . Several small shops in the courtyard . Fine art gallery . Excellent toilets impeccably clean . Worth a visit .
 
— Tom S, Frodsham.

Lovely Gallery

 
 
The Gallery has a display that changes regularly and everything is for sale.
I bought some presents for Birthdays.
 
— Sweetpea25

An oasis of opportunity

 
 
 
The galleries are excellent – in a County that principally only has high street galleries with stables of artists or mansion houses with historical collections, it’s wonderful to see a professional space that caters for more creative, thought-provoking and perceptive material.
 
— David A.
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