Artists invited to compete for The Buxton Spa Prize

The prize which was successfully launched in 2014 aims to raise the profile of artists and their work and further enhance Buxton’s national reputation as a centre for arts and culture.

Inspired by similar competitions in Bath and Bristol, The Buxton Spa Prize has Children’s Prize, 11 – 17 year old Buxton Spa Teen Prize, The Buxton Spa Young Persons Prize for those aged 18 – 25 and an open category with a first prize of £5,000 from the Trevor Osborne Charitable Trust and second and third cash prize.

A new sketchbook prize generated great interest in 2014 and will be repeated this year with a prize of £2000.

The judges include renowned Salford artist Harold Riley, leading UK open air artists Ken Howard RA OBE and Pete ‘The Street ‘ Brown and chairman of Visit England, Penelope, Viscountess Cobham CBE.

Artists can register to enter online from April 1 until May 18.

They are then required to visit Buxton from May 1-18 to draw their location by ballot and have their board or canvas stamped. The deadline for submissions is July 5.

All entries will be showcased in an exhibition at The Green Man Gallery in the town from July 17 to August 31 which will also provide artists with the opportunity to sell their work.

The organisers Neil M Scowcroft, Daniel Winter, Emma Potter and Liz Mackenzie invited local people to pick 40 outdoor locations across the town.

Children and young people are encouraged to create a piece inspired by what they love about Buxton and have the chance to win art materials vouchers.

The prize is currently sponsored by Vision Buxton and No 6 The Square Tearooms.

For more details on how to enter the competition, visit the exhibition, buy art or support the prize, visit www.buxtonspaprize.co.uk, email www.buxtonspaprize.co.uk or email [email protected]

l The Spa Prize exhibition will run alongside the internationally-acclaimed and award-winning Buxton Festival which takes place from July 10 to 26 and celebrates opera, music and books.

Opera performances include Verdi’s Giovanna d’Arco, Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor and a concert performance of Charpentier’s Louise.

Olivier award-winning Elijah Moshinsky, who has previously directed productions for the Metropolitan Opera New York and Royal Opera House Covent Garden, will be directing Giovanna d’Arco.

The festival also features over 100 concerts and recitals.

Literary speakers will include Costa award winning Helen Macdonald, Louis Di Berniere and Helen Castor.

For more information, contactwww.buxtonfestival.co.uk or call 01298 70395.