Archive: This is the 2021 competition announcement. The Green Man Gallery mentioned below closed to the public in December 2024.

The Buxton Spa Art Prize invited artists of all ages and abilities to enter its 2021 competition. The open-air competition took place in spring and early summer, with a £4,000 first prize sponsored by the Trevor Osborne Charitable Trust. The prize began in 2014.

Visitors looking at paintings in a gallery
Visitors at a Buxton Spa Prize exhibition. The photograph’s date has not been confirmed.

The 2020 competition did not go ahead during the pandemic. For 2021, organiser Neil Scowcroft announced a change allowing artists to choose their own location within approximately one mile of the Pavilion Gardens.

The 2021 competition included children’s and teen prizes and Buxton International Festival Choice categories.

A colourful illustrated map of the Pavilion Gardens
Andrea Joseph, Highly Commended, The Buxton Spa Art Prize 2019.

The 2021 People’s Choice award

The 2021 announcement invited exhibition visitors to vote for a People’s Choice award. The advertised prize was £500, a one-night hotel stay and a display of the winning work in the Buxton Crescent hotel.

A painting of an illuminated building at night
A painting of an illuminated building at night. Its title and artist have not been confirmed.

The announced judges included 2019 winner Simon Roderick and 2014 winner Haidee-Jo Summers.

In the 2021 preview, Scowcroft said more than 90 artists had entered.

Children and young entrants in 2021

The deadline for artwork submissions was 18 June 2021. The exhibition opened at The Green Man Gallery from 25 June to 25 July 2021.

A child’s painting of a family walking beside a stone wall
‘My Family, My Street’, Verity Dawson, 1st prize, The Buxton Spa Children’s Prize 2019.

The 2021 organisers included Neil M Scowcroft, Emma Potter, Liz Mackenzie and Kathryn Howson. Prize founder Trevor Osborne said: “I am delighted that The Buxton Spa Prize has become a leading en plein air arts event. I am proud of what has been achieved in this beautiful spa town”.

A painting of Buxton Opera House illuminated at night

The Ghosts of Saturday Night by Alex Kelly, third prize in the 2019 Buxton Spa Prize.

The 2021 preview named sponsors including The Trevor Osborne Charitable Trust, No.6 The Square Tearooms and Accommodation, Bill and Sheila Barratt, Adrian Brown and Jean Rodger, Buxton Civic Association, Ensana Buxton Crescent, Creative Heritage, Vision Buxton and Salman Property Care.

See the Buxton Spa Prize website for current information.

The Green Man Gallery closed to the public on 22 December 2024. Read the gallery’s closure notice.