Mote Park Art Competition Winners 2026
2026 Over 18s winning entry: ''A Walk in the Park' by Keely Dunnill
Mote Park art competition artwork on display
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 24 October.
The competition, run by Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) this summer, invited people to enter original artworks that reflect ‘Park Life’ in the stunning park.
Forty artworks were shortlisted from more than 100 entries received, and feature in a free to enter exhibition being held in the Mote Park Learning Space (next to the café) from 26 October to 8 November, 10.30am-3.30pm daily.
The overall winners were selected from the shortlisted entries and announced by MBC Councillor Stephen Thompson and Cas Holmes, local artist and Head Judge.
Ben Harper of Marathon Wealth Management, who sponsor for the competition.
Speaking about the competition and exhibition, Cllr Thompson said:
“This year's competition has attracted some truly impressive entries, and selecting the shortlist was no easy task. From paintings and textiles to sculpture and mixed media, the creativity on display is remarkable.
“Looking at these artworks, it is so heartwarming to see what people love about our park and to hear how much it means to them.
"It's also been wonderful to see new artists entering the competition and I would encourage everyone to come along, enjoy the exhibition and vote for their favourite artwork.”
First prize in the over 18 category went to Keely Dunnill with her charcoal piece titled ‘A Walk in the Park’, which showcases the best of the park across almost 2m of paper. Mote Park has been part of Keely’s life for over 25 years and she finds inspiration on her many walks and cycle rides.
Dustine West received the runner up prize in the over 18 category, for his ink pen rendition of ‘The Boathouse Mechanism in Winter’. Having passed the boathouse many times over the years, Dustine felt it made the perfect inspiration for his artwork. Having limited mobility in his right hand, Dustine makes small dot marks on the paper to build up his images, and the effects are stunning.
'Boathouse mechanism in winter'
The winner in the under 18 category was Alfie LePine with a 3D mixed media piece ‘Historic Waterfall’. Alfie said: “I enjoy stopping at the waterfall on the walk to the walled garden to visit my Nana. I like watching the water falling; it is very peaceful. It is one of my favourite places in the park, so I knew I had to recreate it for the competition.”
'Historic Waterfall'
The under 18 runner up prize went to Dea Dacheva for her watercolour and salt piece titled ‘Mote Park Adventures’. Featuring a variety of play equipment, it showcases Dea’s favourite places in the park.
'Mote Park Adventures'
There were also highly commended awards for Jacquie Tyson in the over 18 category for her 3ft tall ‘Park Life flourishes in a tree’; and for Christopher Simmons in the under 18s with his acrylic artwork ‘Mote Park from Above’.
'Park Life flourishes in a tree'
'Mote Park from Above'
The competition was open to any age with prizes for two categories: under 18s and over 18s. MBC would like to thank Ben Harper from Marathon Wealth Management for sponsoring the event again this year.
Visitors to the exhibition are also being asked to vote for their favourite picture from all those on display in a ‘visitors vote’. The winner of this vote will receive a £50 voucher for art supplies, courtesy of Marathon Wealth Management.
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