Creative, quirky and offbeat show is the 'highlight of the art calendar'

The annual Open Exhibition at Ferens Art Gallery, in Hull, which opens on Saturday, February 13, has attracted a bumper crop of more than 1,300 entries from 500 artists.

The work on show ranges from quirky sculpture to offbeat photographs, including Meet the KC Family by student Donald Bellamy – featuring a "daddy" white KC telephone, with mum, kids and the dog.

One of three entries by digital painter Gary Saunt is Look North 2, this year featuring weather girl Lisa Gallagher.

Organisers have made extra space available this year for more than 400 works to go on display.

The final selections were made by judges Rob Moore, dean of Hull School of Art and Design, and visual artist Jane Poulton.

Assistant curator of exhibitions Claire Longrigg said the work was the usual high standard, with photography particularly strong this year. She said: "I think people see it as the highlight of the art calendar, because the scale of it is so big compared to other regional galleries."

Prize winners will be announced at the preview next Friday evening, where many of the works for sale are snapped up. The Open Exhibition runs until April 18.