Art Competition: Summer Exhibition

The Essex Coast Summer Art Competition ended on 31st August 2021 and we had some stunning entries of original work from people of all ages, thank you for taking part.

We are thrilled to announce our three winners, one from each of our categories. Congratulations to Lily Kemp, Tayla Wilding and Melanie Arthey. 

We hope you enjoy the Summer competition exhibition showcased below.

U12s JUNIOR COMPETITION WINNER: Lily Kemp, age 9 - Colchester

"It is a giant octopus that's ended up on the beach. In the distance is a volcano and a storm with some dogs on a boat and a mermaid on a rock with a boy looking out to sea." 

TEENS  COMPETITION WINNER: Tayla Wilding age 13, Witham

"It makes Tayla think of summer and happy days." 

OVER 18s COMPETITION WINNER, Melanie Arthey - Colchester

"This watercolour and pencil with cling film painting is of the shallows at Holland. 40 + years ago my wonderful Dad took myself and my sister to swim each week in the sea at Holland. We did this for years. My sister and me were always worried about the jellyfish and always had small cuts on our feet from the barnacles but we loved it. This was a magical time of the week for us and we look back with such affection on those years. This is looking down into that water with a scene from today and it is just as I remember it." 

And here is a selection of our other entries, thank you to everyone who entered this summer.

Mae Sephton, Age 9, U12s Juniors category

Camilla Quinn, Over 18s category: "I am very fond of the seaside and love to paddle in the water.  I often wonder what is in the sea.  I enjoy a good story about the sea and the Mermaids that live there. 

The sea is a deep murky pool and I wonder what lives deep beneath the surface.  There is a whole world that exists like a parallel universe.  

Beautiful objects such as intricate shells, colourful fish, unusual plants and coral all exist unexplored by the majority.

The Mermaids reflect today's society of diverse backgrounds.  I want everyone represented in my pictures.  I think the female form is very beautiful and makes wonderful pictures." 

Luke McCulloch, Age 7, U12s Juniors category.  "The painting is called 'I made a Sand Castle, Dad and Me'. Luke drew it from memory from the first proper time we went to the Essex Coast to Frinton beach and he made his first sandcastle with Daddy, being surprised when the bucket emptied it out on the sand!"

Simon Chamber, Over 18s category: "Mill beach... The black water estuary is my favourite place in Essex."

Lynne Matthews, Over 18s category: "Titled 'Tempest', depicts the turbulent seas off the coastlines of Essex, during the unpredictable, changing climate of the summer months."