- Kelly Hadley has been named the winner of Birmingham Open 26.
- The public can now vote for People’s Choice prize at Birmingham Snow Hill Square.
- Winners receive cash prizes, portfolio reviews and exhibition opportunities.
Kelly Hadley has been crowned the winner of Birmingham Open 26.
The competition’s top honour goes to Kelly Hadley, whose photograph ‘A Birmingham Patchwork’ impressed the independent judging panel, earning her a £2,000 cash prize, a professional portfolio review and inclusion in future exhibition opportunities.
Image caption: ‘A Birmingham Patchwork’ by Kelly Hadley
Commenting on the winning image, the judges said: “Birmingham is a dynamic city that means many things to many people. This year’s winning submission captured the vibrancy of our home through its welcoming composition of found abstract colours. The photograph beautifully documents the cornerstone of The Crown pub, a location culturally associated with the legacy of Black Sabbath, alongside a commercial wayfinding sign that invites viewers into the frame.”
A graduate of the University of Wolverhampton, Kelly is a photographer with a passion for abstract urban landscapes and has collaborated with organisations including Creative Black Country and Multistory, alongside a range of photography ventures. Kelly was also given the unique opportunity to work alongside renowned photographer Martin Parr during the King’s Coronation, further developing her practice and professional experience.
Through her photography, Kelly explores the overlooked and often discarded elements of urban spaces, finding beauty and intrigue in abandoned buildings, hidden corners and the changing fabric of the city.
Speaking about her win, Kelly Hadley said: “I’m so excited to be named the winner of Birmingham Open 26 competition. ‘A Birmingham Patchwork’ was inspired by the ever-evolving story of the city, so it’s incredibly rewarding to see that my work resonated with the judges. Birmingham has such an incredible creative community, and it’s a real honour to have my photography recognised alongside so many talented artists. I’m grateful for the opportunities this award will bring as I continue to develop my practice.”
Birmingham Open is an open art competition for emerging artists aged 18 and over in Birmingham, created by Colmore Life. Now running for its third year in partnership with International Day of Birmingham (IDOB) and Central BID.
Thanks to Colmore Life, International Day of Birmingham and Central BID, more 150 artists entered the 2026 competition, showcasing the breadth of creative talent across the city and West Midlands region.
The competition invited artists to respond creatively to the theme of Birmingham, resulting in a diverse collection of works spanning photography, printmaking, illustration, painting and mixed media. This year’s theme reflected the new partnership with IDOB, placing the city’s stories, people, culture and global connections at the heart of the exhibition.
Nicola Silk, International Day of Birmingham’s Executive Producer said: “It’s absolutely wonderful to see the wide range of creative responses to the word ‘Birmingham’, showing our city as a muse to an impressive array of fantastic artists.”
The Highly Commended prize has been awarded to Kate Wolf, whose linocut print Wentworth Road Flats stood out to judges for its craftsmanship, distinctive style and thoughtful storytelling. Kate will also receive a portfolio review and a £1,000 cash prize.
Kate Wolf is a self-taught artist from Colorado, USA, who now lives and works in Birmingham. Known for their starkly lit linocut prints, they experiment with a variety of printmaking techniques, including jigsaw, multi-block and reduction prints. Their work focuses on small, often overlooked moments, elevating everyday subjects through close attention and intention.
A familiar name to Birmingham Open audiences, Kate’s print Make it Mine was shortlisted in the top ten of Birmingham Open 2025. Since then, they have presented a solo exhibition, All the Stars are Mine, led community workshops and continues to play an active role within Birmingham’s creative community.
Ruth Millington, art historian and curator of Birmingham Open 26, said: “The judging panel was presented with an exciting range of responses to the brief. Kelly’s winning work stood out for its artistic confidence, originality and ability to engage viewers, while Kate’s print demonstrated outstanding technical skill and a powerful sense of storytelling. Together, they represent the strength and diversity of Birmingham’s emerging creative talent.”
The public is now invited to help decide the People’s Choice Award, the third and final prize of the competition. Voting is open until the exhibition closes on Wednesday 30 September, with visitors able to cast their vote by scanning a QR code at the Snow Hill Square exhibition.
The People’s Choice winner will also receive a £1,000 cash prize, a portfolio review and further exhibition opportunities.
The Birmingham Open 26 exhibition is currently on display at Snow Hill Square and Victoria Square until Wednesday 30 September. The outdoor exhibitions are free to attend and visitors are encouraged to visit, discover the artworks and cast their vote for the People’s Choice Award.
Birmingham Open 26 is delivered through Colmore’s Placemaking Working Group. Chair of the Group and Board Director Melanie Williams said: “Birmingham Open continues to provide a valuable platform for emerging artists, helping connect creative talent with new audiences in the heart of the city. Congratulations to Kelly and Kate, whose work demonstrates the incredible creativity thriving across Birmingham. We encourage everyone to visit the exhibition, support our artists and vote for their People’s Choice winner.”
Sam Watson, Chair of Central BID said: “We are proud to be a co-founder of the Birmingham Open art competition, which is part of Central BID’s on-going commitment to delivering an ‘always on’ art trail throughout the city centre, celebrating local artists and creative businesses.”
Follow Colmore Life, Central BID and International Day of Birmingham on social media for exhibition updates and the People’s Choice winner. For more information, visit https://colmorelife.co.uk/colmore-event/birimingham-open-26-exhibition/.
Hero caption L-R: Deborette Clark, Mike Mounfield, Kelly Hadley, Kate Wolf, Timothy Ison, Ruth Millington.
