Banbury Museum’s community and family friendly ethos is helped by its convenient access, through the TIC, in Castle Quay shopping centre.

With its views over the canal, it is an attractive location. The museum hosts the Graduate Art Show of Oxfordshire School of Creative Arts. Its openness is also evident in the exhibition ART2 2011 the North Oxfordshire Open.

Entries were invited from anyone within a 20-mile radius of Banbury and the 186 submissions were of a high standard. Sixty one were chosen for this show but not all are in the museum. The Mill Arts Centre — 200 yards away — is showing 19 of them.

Five judges made a short list of nine before selecting the two winners. Jackie Whitehouse, the head of Oxfordshire School of Creative Arts (OSCA), presented the prize for the best newcomer to Caroline Chappell for her acrylic/mixed media painting Across the Fields. Caroline was amused by the title best newcomer because she has taught art in the area since 1977 and became head of art at Warriner School. “I recognised the names on some entries as former pupils of mine.” said Caroline. Her picture (above left) is a magical impression looking from the Jurassic Way towards the village of Middleton Cheney where she lives.

The overall winner was Julie Wigg’s Walberswick Beach. Julie worked as a graphic designer before graduating with a fine art degree at Banbury (Jackie says there is still a place available on this year’s course). Julie’s painting swirls with emotion and a sense of the overwhelming power of the sea, so maybe Julie’s comment is not surprising.

“My work is inspired by a sense of being in a place and is emotionally driven.” I asked about her technique. “On location, I sketch, make small paintings and take photos but back in my studio I like to work on a big canvas often 5ft x 8ft. I paint on the floor as well as the wall. After the first brush stroke it feels like going on a journey telling a story.”

Julie was presented with a cheque for £250 by Timothy Hallchurch, the chairman of Cherwell District Council (pictured with her above). Julie, with Caroline, will be offered the new gallery space at OSCA for a joint exhibition (dates to be confirmed).

You may judge for yourself because there will be a public prize. While I agree with the judges’ choices, I suspect Victoria Stanway’s amusing and charming pictures will be popular.

On a personal note, I loved the jewel-like etching and engravings. As they are small, it is easy to overlook them.

Art 2 2011 continues until November 26.