Friday saw Leicester’s New Walk Museum play host to the 25th Open Exhibition and the announcement of this years Attenborough prize winner.

The open 25 exhibition provides an opportunity for artists from the across the region to display their work in the museum, and give seven of them the chance to get onto the Attenborough Prize shortlist.

25 year old Olivier Leger from Loughborough won this years prize, making him the youngest ever winner. he said “there’s been a lot of good work been submitted into the Open 25, so even to be short-listed was an honour and a privilege, I was taken totally by surprise”

The Attenborough Prize was first awarded in 2007 and aims to support a regional based artist and their professional development. The winner receives £1,000 and an exhibition opportunity at the museum.

Ruth Singer a judge on the judging panel commented “As soon as we saw it, we all just said wow that is amazing, lets put that on the Attenbough Shortlist”

Leicester City Mayor, Sir Peter Soulsby said “what we’ve got on display here and showcasing is some spectacular work done by some very talented local artists and creators and its a wonderful exhibition”

The Open 25 Exhibition is open to the public until 27 April 2014.

For more information go to: www.leicester.gov.uk/open25