The revived annual Macclesfield Open Art Exhibition - a one-off virtual event - is now underway.

The brainchild of artists Geoff Archer and Pat Havis, the real world exhibition was hosted by The Silk Museum from its launch in 2013 until 2018.

The popular event ended due to the reorganisation of Macclesfield Museums and the exhibition organisers being unable to find a suitable alternative venue in the town.

But, following the closure of galleries and cancellations of exhibitions around the globe, Geoff decided to revive the event and - to his surprise and delight - it has attracted a record number of artists.

He told Macclesfield Nub News: "Online exhibitions may be poor substitutes for the real thing, but in the present circumstances it's the best we can do.

"I thought it might attract 30 or 40 artists, but the response has exceeded all my expectations.

"Artists were invited to submit a maximum of three works and there were no restrictions on who could enter and no selection process as we had to impose previously due to space restrictions.

"Everything submitted is now on display - in total 651 works, three times as could be exhibited physically, by 236 artists.

"The exhibition http://www.maccopen.org.uk/maccopen/Home.html is in three parts, simply because we had so many entries they wouldn't fit in just one section!"

Geoff, a retired art teacher of more than 30 years, has three paintings in the exhibition and is delighted to discover that several of his ex-students have also submitted works.

"The majority of exhibitors are from in and around Macclesfield, revealing an astonishing number of active artists and a remarkable wealth of talent in just one small part of the country.

"We had three aims in holding this exhibition: to present a spectacle for art lovers starved of 'the real thing'; to provide artists with an opportunity to show and sell their work; and to raise money for East Cheshire Hospice.

"Open exhibitions normally charge artists an entry fee and an admission charge to view the exhibition.

"But this exhibition was free to enter and is free to view so we have asked those submitting works to make a donation to the hospice if they can - and encourage them to make a further donation in lieu of the usual commission for works they sell.

"We are also inviting visitors to the online exhibition to make a donation to the hospice's valuable work in the community," added Geoff.

Visitors can vote for their favourite work, with the artist who receives the most votes winning the £100 Visitors' Choice Award, donated by Macclesfield Town Council.

Votes should be sent via email to [email protected], putting 'Vote' in the subject line, and include the number and title of the work and any comment.

The Macclesfield Open Art Exhibition runs online until 16 August.