‘The Spirit of Malvern’ - en plein air Painting Competition

Dozens of artists – from near and far – will be setting up their easels in and around Malvern this Bank Holiday Monday (May 5) as the ‘Spirit of Malvern’ outdoor art competition gets underway for the second year, following the runaway success of the launch event in 2024.

Organised again by Creatives Connect Malvern, this year there is more than £3000 in prize money to win, as well are two separate categories for participants: professional and semi-professional, and amateur artists. On the day, they will all set off to find their own spot and start to paint – against the clock – in a similar vein to the popular Sky Arts Landscape of the Year. In fact one of this year’s judges will be a Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year Winner. Artist Fuji Rose will be joined by three additional local judges; Bridget MacDonald, Brian Gorst and Susan Birth to select this years winning entries.

With prize categories including both urban scenes and landscapes, artists will be able to seek inspiration in Priory Park, the Winter Gardens, Malvern Link, West Malvern, Little Malvern, anywhere on the hills, or even from the shelter of a bus stop. Ideally, their work will convey a sense of the ‘Spirit of Malvern’, whatever the weather!

When their artwork is complete, competitors will be hot-footing it back to the Malvern Theatre, where judging takes place, prizes are awarded and the public can then enjoy seeing all the results in the free pop-up exhibition, which will be open from 16.00 to 17.00. You might even be inspired to buy an original artwork, as many of the pieces will be for sale.

The ‘Spirit of Malvern’ event has attracted generous sponsorship, including The Bransford Trust, Malvern Hills National Landscape, The Malverns, Malvern Hills District Council, Smartbox Malvern, Malvern Theatres, Aetheria Gallery & Studios, Lucart Hygiene Ltd, Analysis History, Worcestershire Ambassadors and The Dame Laura Knight Society.

For more about the competition and individual prizes, visit the link below:

https://creativesconnectweb.wixsite.com/malvern/events