A TOTAL of 100 artists will descend on the town of Malvern to garner inspiration for their entries to a new prize-winning art competition.
The Spirit of Malvern Open Air painting competition – on May 6 – will see works of art showcased in a pop-up exhibition in Priory Park.
A panel of judges, including Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year, Tom Voyce will award prizes of £1,000, £350 and a local WR Postcode prize of £450.
Best Landscape, Urban and ‘wildcard’ artworks will win £100.
The event is organised by Malvern Creatives Connect (MCC), a network founded in 2023 by local dramatist and theatre director Kirsty Cubberley to encourage participation, events and creativity within the arts.
“The very nature of the Malverns has always attracted creative people, inspiring greats such as authors C S Lewis and Tolkein, composer Edward Elgar and artist Dame Laura Knight,” said Kirsty Cubberley.
“Today, we are seeing a groundswell of energy build on this artistic legacy, and ensure that the historic association between Malvern and the Arts is revived and refreshed. At MCC, we supporting our local creatives in releasing that energy and ambition.”
The MCC network already includes more than 130 members, who meet regularly, share ideas and information, and support one another.
Their first public events at the end of last year included an Open Day at the OCC in Malvern, an Exhibition in Christ Church on Avenue Road, and collaboration with Malvern Town Council and the Traders Association to decorate the Narnia Lantern Trail at Christmas time.
Spirit of Malvern Open Air competition was inspired by and coincides with an exhibition of
Worcestershire paintings by the celebrated twentieth century artist, Dame Laura Knight at the Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum.
The competition will start at The Mount Pleasant Hotel – a sponsor of the event – where Dame Laura Knight stayed whilst in Malvern.
Other sponsors include the Three Counties Historical Art Society, Malvern Hills District Council, Lucart Hygiene, Worcester Ambassadors, and The Dame Laura Knight Society.
The ‘Spirit of Malvern’ competition is open to anyone over the age of 16, and is limited to 100 participants. The entry fee is £20 (£15 for early bird sign ups).
Visit https://creativesconnectweb.wixsite.com/malvern/events for more information.