Meet The People’s Picks 2026 Top Three!
What a bumper year for voting in The People’s Picks award sponsored by Appetite at the ArtsKeele Three Counties Open Art Exhibition. And no wonder: the strong selection of finalists received over 270 votes via our website alone, along with those cast in person at the exhibition.
It was a close-run thing with only 13 votes separated the top three. Is your favourite one of them?? Find out below and see what they have to say about their inspiration, motivation, and who they would have voted for.
So without further ado … except for the obligatory drum roll 🥁🥁🥁🥁 … here they are, your People’s Picks 2026!
Overall Winner
Charne Visser
Out of Couch
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I’m South African-born and have a formal education in Fine Art. I now live in Stoke-on-Trent with my husband and son.
I’m primarily a painter, although I enjoy experimenting with different mixed-media processes as well. Alongside my own art practice, I also run a creative workshop business, so creativity and making art are a big part of my everyday life.
Can you tell us the inspiration behind your piece?
I was interested in the pressure that comes with living in such a digitally connected world, particularly through social media and the constant comparison and expectations that can come with it.
I wanted to contrast that with a sense of calm, so I placed the figure in a peaceful, natural environment. The piece is really about that desire, and ever increasing need, to step away from all the noise, take a moment to reflect, and find some sense of grounding.
What made you want to contribute to the Three Counties Open Art Exhibition?
I think it’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase your work. As an emerging artist, I’ve found it difficult to become connected with galleries or find consistent opportunities to sell my work, but I still have a strong desire to continue creating.
Open calls like this are incredibly valuable because they give artists the opportunity to put their work in front of an audience. They’re not only important for building confidence, but also for seeing how people respond to your work and whether the ideas and subjects you’re exploring resonate with them.
How important is the Three Counties Open Art Exhibition for artists like yourself?
I think it’s incredibly valuable, particularly for emerging artists. Opportunities to exhibit can be difficult to come by, especially when you’re not represented by a gallery.
An open exhibition gives artists the chance to have their work seen by a much wider audience, alongside artists at different stages of their careers. For me, that’s really important — not just for exposure, but for building confidence and feeling like there is a place for your work within the wider art community.
How did you feel when you found out you’d won The Appetite Award: People’s Picks 2026?
Surprised, shocked and probably a little bit giddy! I absolutely didn’t expect it. There were so many strong pieces in the exhibition, so even to have my work selected for this award at all is a huge honour.
It was also a really encouraging moment for me as an artist. The artwork was entirely experimental for me, and it’s the first time I’ve attempted to incorporate a landscape into my work. So, to be honest, I wasn’t entirely sure if it was successful. That made receiving the award even more meaningful and encouraging for me.
Is there a particular piece from the exhibition that stood out to you?
Portraiture is something I’m particularly interested in, so it was really encouraging to see such a strong interest in that genre from other artists as well. I particularly fell in love with the landscape by Simon Parker, titled Watching the River Flow. I think it’s an absolutely beautiful piece.
Where can people see more of what you do?
I mainly share my work on Instagram @charnevisserart. I’m not always as consistent with posting as I’d like to be because my painting process can be quite slow — sometimes a single painting can take months to complete! But I’m working on sharing more of the process as well as the finished pieces.
First Runner Up
Rebecca Davis
Heading Home at Dusk
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I am Rebecca Davis (Becky) and I run my stained glass business Grayswood Glass. I have designed, made and restored stained glass for over 30 years.
I am a little obsessed with antique and reclaimed glass, often taking apart old windows to salvage the wonderful glass. I then reuse this in new art pieces. I still do a lot of restoration work, and hand paint and kiln fire patterns using traditional skills that I have learnt.
Can you tell us the inspiration behind your piece?
The inspiration behind my entry to The Three Counties Open Art Exhibition is my evening dog walks through my local woods. I tried to capture the 'feel' of a calm evening in nature.
It has been painted in layers and has a total of five kiln firings.
What made you want to contribute to the Three Counties Open Art Exhibition?
I entered for the first time last year and was beyond chuffed to win the Sustainability Prize then.
How important is the Three Counties Open Art Exhibition for artists like yourself?
The exhibition is so important to artists like me, and especially for stained glass to be represented. Glass just doesn't just have to be in windows and is a wonderful medium for creative pieces.
It has opened up my world to the fabulous art community, which is even more important as I now work from a home studio which can be isolating.
How did you feel when you found out you’d won The Appetite Award: The People’s Picks?
When I found out I’d won 2nd place in the Appetite People’s Picks Award I was so happy. It means so much to me that people saw and liked my work, let alone took time to vote.
Is there a particular piece from the exhibition that stood out to you?
The quality of the diverse entries was amazing. I particularly like Sally Fitchard’s ceramic sculpture head and the painting The Golden Gilders by Julie Gould.
Where can people see more of what you do?
I am very lucky to have my work sold in @barewall gallery in Burslem and am part of a fabulous cooperative @galleryattwelve in Eccleshall.
I mainly use Instagram @grayswoodglass to showcase my work and am hoping to have my own website up and running soon, though I have been saying that for months!
Second Runner Up
Jane Jones
The Lone Tree at Sunset
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Hi, I am Jane, 32 years old, amateur photographer from Stafford, Staffordshire. I’ve always been into all kinds of different arts since I was at primary school with cerebral palsy but since then I wanted to become a photographer at age 28 and it has progressed into something that I enjoy in my daily life.
Can you tell us the inspiration behind your piece?
First time I went with my photography club in March 2023 was to Llanberis. At the time I didn't have photography experience, so I wanted to go back to the same spot. I visited again in August 2024 with my camera using a tripod at the most famous tree in Wales, a subject most visited by photographers, especially at Golden hour. This tree is my favourite that will keep wanting to go back and revisit in all different seasons.
What made you want to contribute to the Three Counties Open Art Exhibition?
I have seen it advertised on Instagram so thought I would give it go for first time and see what come out of it.
How important is the Three Counties Open Art Exhibition for artists like yourself?
It is very important to show your work to many artists that can be inspired as much as being amazing artists this year.
How did you feel when you found out you’d won The Appetite Award: The People’s Picks?
Finding out coming third place in this award as first timer - I was very chuffed with myself and how far I have come in five years as amazing photographer. I have learned a lot about myself.
Is there a particular piece from the exhibition that stood out to you?
There were lots of artists that stood out for me. One of them was Rebecca Davis’ stained glass work; her work with glass is just incredible, how she works with glass put together like a jigsaw puzzle with a twist of art.
Where can people see more of what you do?
By looking on my Instagram page @jonesey_adventures