Belper Artist Wins Derbyshire Trophy in Open Art Competition

Belper artist Mark Langley has been awarded the Derbyshire Trophy in the Derbyshire Open Art Competition 2017 for his watercolour painting ‘Pavilion Reflection.’

The competition, which is now in its 35th year, is open to amateur and professional artists of all ages.

People who had submitted entries to the competition were invited to attend a preview evening on Friday (23 June 2017) at the Buxton Museum and Art Gallery to hear the winners and commended entries announced.

Speaking to Mark Langley about his win, the artist said: “It felt brilliant to think I returned after 3 years of not submitting after a Derbyshire County Council award with a previous picture called ‘Haddon Hall’!

I had a phone message left by Ros Westwood the Derbyshire Museums Manager to say she had some really good news and wanted me to contact her back very soon! I had received The Derbyshire Trophy.

I had to look up what the prize was and I triple checked it as I had just won best in show and a purchase prize. ‘Pavilion Reflection’ will now live in the museum’s collection along with previous winners dating back 35 years.”

Artists were asked to submit entries inspired by what Derbyshire means to them, with suggested subjects ranging from county landscapes, a town or streetscape, local people, still life or representations of local stories.

Entrants were allowed to submit up to two works and could use most materials including oils, acrylics, watercolours, drawing, print, collage, manipulated digital imagery or three dimensional work.

The winners and commended entries were selected by an independent panel of four judges.

The Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Leadership, Culture and Tourism Councillor Barry Lewis attended the preview evening. Addressing the audience he expressed how proud he was of the museum and art gallery team for their hard work and how pleased he was to see the redevelopment work, which is almost finished.

Councillor Lewis thanked all the agencies who had supported the museum and art gallery with funding towards its redevelopment and the many specialists who had advised on the work, saying the improved building would boost tourism and the local economy.

Speaking after the event, Councillor Lewis added:

“The Derbyshire Open Art competition has proved as popular as always and once again the judges were extremely impressed with the standard of entries from professional and amateur artists.

“People now have the chance to go and see the winning works and a selection of other entries at the museum and art gallery and I’m sure they will be impressed with what they see. Competitions like this show Derbyshire at its best.”

Prizes totalling £2,150 − including a first prize of £750 − were on offer, and the judges’ selection, including the winning pieces, will be displayed at our newly refurbished Buxton Museum and Art Gallery in Terrace Road from now until Friday 1 September.

The competition is supported by Tarmac and the Friends of Buxton Museum and Art Gallery.

The winners were:

The Derbyshire Trophy

No 170 Pavilion Reflection

by Mark Langley from Belper, Derbyshire

Derbyshire County Council Young Artist Award

No 111 Traveller’s Rest

by Katherine Marrow, 17, from King Sterndale, Buxton, Derbyshire

The Friends of Buxton Museum and Art Gallery Trophy

No 14 What We Leave Behind Us

by Jenny Bowden from Litton Mill, Buxton, Derbyshire

Derbyshire County Council Award

• No 11 Squeeze Stile near Sheldon by Leri Kinder from Wilmslow, Cheshire
• No 69 Sunday by Sue Lewis-Blake from Stanton in Peak, Derbyshire
• No 142 Finding Errwood Hall by Patrick Jones from Knutsford, Cheshire
• No 187 Derbyshire Slice by Helen Cunliffe from South Reddish, Stockport, Cheshire
• No 214 Walking the Edge by Katherine Rhodes from Sheffield

For a list of those pieces work that were commended see the link here.

The 35th Derbyshire Open Art Exhibition is now available to see until 1st September at the Buxton Museum and Art Gallery.

Featured image: ‘Pavilion Reflection’ – Awarded The Derbyshire Trophy purchased prize in The Derbyshire Open Art Competition 2017. Original watercolour painting by Mark Langley Fine Artist – 38 x 51 cm.