Mote Park Competition Winners 2025
Over 18s winner 'On the Water's Edge' by Hilary Walton
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 18 October.
The competition, run by Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) this summer, invited people to enter original artworks that reflect ‘A Favourite Time’ in the stunning park.
Twenty-nine artworks were shortlisted from more than 50 entries received, and featured in a free to enter exhibition held in the Mote Park Learning Space from 20 October to 1 November.
The overall winners were selected from the shortlisted entries and announced by MBC’s Deputy Leader, Councillor Clive English and Ben Harper of Marathon Wealth Management, who sponsor for the competition.
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.”
First prize in the over 18 category went to Hilary Walton with her charcoal rendition of a tree titled ‘On the water’s edge’. Hilary is often inspired by the variety of trees in the park and this piece was created on a spring day of a tree that she has often admired. The judges felt it was beautifully drawn and very atmospheric.
Over 18s runner up 'Looking to the Future' by Lila Tapley
Lila Tapley received the runner up prize in the over 18 category, for her colourful piece ‘Looking to the Future’, capturing a tender moment as a child cuddles his pet dog while watching the activities on the lake.
Under 18s winner, Sophie Crowther
The winner in the under 18 category was Sophie Crowther with a colourful piece painted in acrylic on wood and shows her climbing a tree with a friend, one of her special memories of time in the park.
Under 18 runner up, 'Love' by Samriti Basak
The under 18 runner up prize went to Samriti Basak with her acrylic and oil pastels piece titled ‘Love’ and featuring her favourite ducks which she loves to feed when visiting the park with her friends.
There were also highly commended awards for Sara Christmas in the over 18 category for her etching ‘Avenue of Trees’; and for Yasmine Mercer in the under 18s with her watercolour and acrylic artwork highlighting all the things she enjoys most about spending time in the park.
Over 18 highly commended, Sara Christmas
Under 18 highly commended, 'Whispers of Summer' by Yasmine Mercer
The competition was open to any age with prizes for two categories: under 18s and over 18s. MBC would like to thank Marathon Wealth Management for sponsoring the event again this year.
Visitors Vote
Visitors to the exhibition were also asked to vote for their favourite picture from all those on display in a ‘visitors vote’.
Over 630 votes were cast during the two weeks of the exhibition and the results were very close, but the winner of the ‘Visitors’ Vote’ was Andy Watkiss with his stunning piece titled ‘Diggy’. The artwork was created in pastels and features a beloved pet ‘Diggy’ who enjoys daily walks in the Park.
Visitors Vote winner 'Diggy' by Andy Watkiss
Andy received a £50 gift voucher for art supplies, courtesy of the competition’s main sponsor ‘Marathon Wealth Management’.
The Mote Park Art Competition will return in 2026 and will be launched in April, when the theme for the year will also be announced. Everyone is encouraged to take part, with artists free to work in any medium including paints, textiles, glass and ceramics, but no photography. There will be prizes for under 18s and over 18s, as well as another ‘visitors’ vote’.
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