Lancashire Life and Hepplestone Fine Art begin the search for the region’s top artists
It’s no surprise that Lancashire and the Lake District are blessed with so many talented artists – professional and amateur. Our stunning landscapes make it a natural domain for those looking for inspiration.
And to help bring those talented people to a wider audience, we have teamed up with the award winning Hepplestone Fine Art to launch the another Landscape Artist of the Year competition.
We were hugely encouraged when we launched the competition last year. It attracted around 70 entries and many of them were outstanding works. That convinced gallery co-founder Giles Hepplestone and Lancashire Life editor Roger Borrell that we should continue the competition.
So this is your chance show our judges what you can do.
Giles, whose family-owned gallery is based in Heskin, near Chorley, said: ‘The rewarding part of competitions like this is uncovering new talent.
‘It is very difficult in the current climate for artists to break through. Last year’s competition attracted a real mix of amateurs and professionals and the exposure that gave the finalists has let at least one amateur to consider turning professional.’
One of last year’s runner-up Srirangam Mohankumar - known to family and friends as Kumar – has been invited to exhibit at the Mall Gallery in London by the Royal Society of Maritime Artists.
‘I was surprised by the quality of entries to last year’s competition,’ added Giles. ‘And it was great that we had such an interesting mix of amateurs and professionals. We have a rich vein of professionals here in Lancashire but it was good to see so many new and talented people showing their work.’
Hepplestone Fine Art has become well-known for promoting local art. ‘We have a handful of Lancashire painters who have gone from being well-regarded regionally to having a national profile.’
And art continues to be a popular with the buying public. ‘We have had a very good year,’ said Giles. ‘There has been a growth in interest in buying quality works and that’s exactly what we have in the north.’
So, don’t be shy. Let us see your work – you could be a winner.
HERE’S HOW TO ENTER
Simply send jpeg images of up to three of your works, including the title of each, the medium, where it depicts and a brief biography of yourself to art@lancashirelife.co.uk with ‘Art Competition’ in the subject window.
The closing date is February 28, 2018. The finalists will be named in the next available issue and they will be invited to hang their work at Hepplestone Fine Art when we will be announcing the winner. The shortlisted artists will be featured in Lancashire Life.
RULES
* This competition is open to residents of Lancashire and the Lake District
* It must be an original painting of your own
* You can use any media but it must be on canvas, paper or board
* It must be a new work and unsold so it is available for exhibition
* Only three images per artist
* There is a first prize of £250
* The judges’ decision is final
* Archant, the publishers of Lancashire Life, reserve the right to use the images in future publicity
* Our normal competition terms and conditions apply. See website for details
