Mote Park Art Competition Winners 2024
The Courtship, by Anna-Marie Buss, Winner Over 18s category
Mote Park Art Competition – winners announced
The winners of this year’s Mote Park Art Competition have been revealed at a special preview event held for all shortlisted entries on Saturday 26 October.
The competition, run by Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) this summer, invited people to enter original artworks that reflect ‘Everyday Encounters’ in the stunning park.
Twenty-seven artworks were shortlisted from more than 50 entries received, and featured in a free exhibition held in the Mote Park Learning Space from 28 October to 8 November, 10.30am-3.30pm daily.
The overall winners were selected from the shortlisted entries and announced by Cas Holmes, local artist and author, who was also Head Judge for this year’s competition, with MBC Councillor Rachel Rodwell on hand to award the certificates.
Cllr Stephen Thompson, Cabinet Member for Healthier, Stronger Communities at MBC said: “I am delighted that so many people entered the Mote Park art competition this year - a huge “Thank you” to all who took part. Please do come to enjoy the exhibition at the Learning Space and make sure you vote for your own favourite.”
Head Judge Cas Holmes said: “The quality and diversity of work in this year’s submissions made final selection by the judging panel extremely difficult. It is through the eyes and hands of all the artists who submitted work we appreciate what this beautiful park offers to the visitor. An abundance of wildlife, plants, trees and the landscape featured in drawings and paintings, to pieces which were foraged or found in the park itself.
“First prize in the over 18 category went to Anna-Marie Buss whose mixed-media rendition of an imagined courtship between two squirrels equally described the value of the park for all kinds of meetings. The squirrel's eye view of the lake in the distance reminds us of the importance of the wetlands to the wildlife of the park. This was captured so well in a lovely pastel full of movement in a work titled ‘Seagull Flock Fishing’ by the winner of the under 18's category, Marie Harris.
“There was a wonderful representation of art created by the under 18 age group this year which sits well beside the adults’ work. This interest in art by young people gives us belief in our creative future at a time when creative education and industries are under pressure. Thank you Maidstone Borough Council for continuing to support the arts. I am already looking forward to the competition opening next year in April.”
The competition was open to any age with prizes for two categories: under 18s and over 18s. Visitors to the exhibition were also invited to vote for their favourite artwork from the shortlisted entries on display. The winner of this vote will receive a £50 voucher for art supplies (winner to be announced after the exhibition closes).
MBC would like to thank Marathon Wealth Management for sponsoring all the prizes this year.
The winners for the under 18s category:
Overall winner: Marie, aged 13 – ‘Seagull Flock Fishing’ (£100 prize)
Runner-up: Gabriella, aged 12 (£50 prize)
Highly commended: Thomas, aged 12 – ‘Common Kestrel’
Highly commended: Rebecca, aged 16 - 'Robin'
The over 18s category winners:
Overall winner: Anna-Marie Buss – ‘The Courtship’ (£250 prize)
Runner-up: Wayne Robertson – ‘Early Morning Take Off from Mote Park’ (£100 prize)
Highly commended: Gail Mercer - 'Park People'
Highly commended: Edward Finch
The winning artists:
From left to right: Cllr Rachel Rodwell, Cas Holmes, Rebecca Whitehead, Mr Mercer (on behalf of Gail), Thomas Howells, Marie Harris, Gabriella Demian, Wayne Robertson and Edward Finch (Anna-Marie Buss was unable to attend)