The exhibition is a showcase for the district’s talented artists and this year the winner of the £200 top prize is Jessica Thorn with her sculptural metal furniture.

Second prize of £100 went to Knaresborough ceramic artist, Maggie Barnes for her porcelain and handmade paper ‘marine fossils’.

Jessica, who studied Fine Art at Kingston University said: “I would describe my work as functional sculpture.

“Other projects have included the construction of a spherical, suspended tree house, design of a (front wheel driven) tricycle, as well as the design and fabrication of various commissioned, architectural pieces, such as staircases, bars and balconies.”

Six artists won special commendations £50 each: Myles Linley for his painting Pocklington Canal; Lesley Birch for her print This Quiet Morning, Simon Beer for his oil painting Geology, photographer Martin Meyrick for his panoramic view Hampstead Heath Woods, Joyce Rowland for her oil Aerial Shapes, and Douglas Wales for his charcoal and pastel drawing Norton Conyers. Prizes are sponsored by the Friends of the Mercer Art Gallery.

The selectors were Yorkshire landscape painter Simon Palmer, Wakefield’s Senior Cultural Officer and Curator of the Wakefield Art Gallery, Antonino Vella, and Jane Sellars, Curator of Art for Harrogate Borough Council.

Jane said: “The standard of work was high, with paintings outnumbering all other art forms.

“We were thrilled with our winners, especially Jessica’s giant metal chairs.”

Artists in all media entered a total of 640 works of art for the Harrogate Open, from which the panel selected 140 works by 96 artists for exhibition.

This year, for the first time, the Mercer Art Gallery has introduced the Harrogate Open People’s Prize.

Visitors to the exhibition will have the chance to vote for the work they like the best in the show, and help it to win a prize of £100 donated by the Friends of the Mercer Art Gallery.

The Mercer Art Gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm, Sunday, 2pm to 5pm, closed Mondays except Bank Holidays. Admission free.

l For any enquiries about Jessica’s work or possible commissions you can email info@thornmetal.co.uk