Paint Garstang ‘En Plein Air’ Competition 2025
Talented Lori tops the ‘Paint Garstang’ contest again
Popular art competition is a huge hit for town
More than 30 artists from around the region were in Garstang today to paint the town red, white, blue … and every colour on their pallates.
It was the fourth annual “Paint Garstang” event and yet again proved popular with not only the artists but townsfolk who took time out to see many canvasses being created with views of Garstang centre and the nearby countryside.
The first prize winner was Lori Shaw, with her image of Garstang’s old town hall and Market House.
The win was especially pleasing for Lori as she also came top in last year’s event.
Second prize went to Stephen James Cross with his picture of a view from the junction of Park Hill Road and Moss Lane (with the focus on Garstang Methodist chapel).
Third prize went to Michael Hipkins with his painting of the River Wyre at Garstang.
Most of the artists took their time during the day to paint their chosen scene before taking their canvasses to Garstang Arts Centre in the late afternoon for judging.
Entertainment in the arts centre courtyard was provided by popular Ukelele band Buzz Cadillac and the Lightning Rods with front man Andy Stuart (and colleagues) entertaining an enthusiastic crowd of art and music lovers.
The standard of art entries, and in particular the winning three entrants, was praised by judge Hazel Booth. The presentation, attended by scores of well wishers, was introduced and chaired by Sheila Tearle of the arts centre.
See also next week’s Garstang Courier
Thanks to AC and MC for help with photos
Report: Garstang Freelance News Agency (NUJ)
Whoo hoo – Paint Garstang ‘Plein Air Competition’ – we’re doing it all again on Saturday September 6th 2025
Following the success of last year, and by public demand, we are delighted once again to host the fourth ‘En Plein Air’ (painting outdoors) competition to take place in and around the beautiful Fairtrade Market Town of Garstang.
Artists have chosen any location on the map below to paint and capture the essence of Garstang.
Please see our artist trail map below.
We welcome artists both professional and amateur to take part with the chance to win cash prizes.
Visitors can enjoy watching original pieces of art being created in just one day (less than seven hours really) and take in all that our wonderful historic town has to offer.
A visitors guide and map of the artist trail will be produced when all registration forms have been returned. These will be available from Garstang Arts Centre.
On the Day
Artists must sign in at the Garstang Art Centre from 9am to confirm their attendance and have their blank canvas (or any surface they’re using) stamped before heading off to their chosen location. They will return to the Arts Centre with their masterpiece no later than 4pm.
Judging will take place at 4.30 pm and prizes will be awarded at 5.00pm
We regret we cannot accept entries on the day.
We extend a very warm welcome and hope you will support us in this popular event for Garstang.
The Exhibition
There will be an Exhibition of Art created on the day of the submitted work from ‘PAINT GARSTANG’, along with an exhibition running from Tuesday 23rd September – Thursday 16th October of the pieces open to a ‘PEOPLES VOTE COMPETITION’ within opening hours.
Hanging/Handing in date for this is Saturday 20th September.
If you require and further information please contact
The Arts Centre: 01995 606648
or Sheila Tearle : Tel: 01995 603816
Mob: 07761099397
email: sheila@tearle.plus.com
PAINT GARSTANG 2024
Garstang became the base for the cream of the region’s artists as they competed to put the town well and truly in the frame.
The third “En Plein Air / Paint Garstang” day on Saturday (September 7) was heralded a huge success by organisers.
Around 25 artists found viewpoints to set up their easels and use their palettes and paintbrushes to paint the view.
All the craftsmen and women were happy to chat to onlookers and shoppers who enjoyed seeing the canvasses being completed in a variety of media.
Townscapes, canal and riverside scenes were among the images which ended up in Garstang Arts Centre for judging late afternoon.
1st Lori Shaw
2nd Karen Plummer
3rd Rachel Crawshaw
Judge for the day was professional artist Jayne Lancaster.
The arts centre was packed for the announcement of the winners and prize presentations.
Brief speeches were given by arts centre chairman Muriel Burnham-Airey and by Sheila Tearle, arts exhibition organiser who was behind the original idea for the contest.
Thanks were voiced to arts centre staff Vanessa Bracewell and Maddy Mclean and the centre’s cafe volunteers.
Garstang Ukelele group Buzz Cadillac and the Lightning Rods entetained the crowds throughout the day.
Paint Garstang 2023
Garstang became capital of the region’s artistic community Sat 2nd Sept 23 as blank canvases were turned into creative masterpieces in the open air.
The town’s second “En Plein Air / Paint Garstang” day was heralded a success by organisers, towns folk and the numerous visitors.
More than 30 artists found viewpoints to base their easels and use their palettes and paintbrushes.
The craftsmen and women who included local artists as well as many others from around the county, were happy to chat to onlookers and shoppers all keen to see the canvasses being filled.
Today’s good weather brought an extra buzz to the day-long event as well as pulling in numerous visitors keen to see the works in progress.
Townscapes, canalside scenes, picturesque cottages, local landscapes and river views – in a variety of media – were among the images which ended up in Garstang Arts Centre for judging late afternoon.
Judge was Blackpool-based professional artist and tutor Graham Berry.
1st prize went to Katya Carrington of Leyland with a canalside scene.
2nd prize went to Rachel Crawshaw, who was also runner up last year. Her painting this year was a canalside scene.
Third spot went to Alison Dawson with a town centre scene.
Paint Garstang 2022
What a wonderful day we had for the ‘en plein air event’ on Saturday the 3rd Sept. 22
Artists from Blackburn and, as far afield as Wakefield, together with our own local painters, set up easels in their chosen locations and produced some amazing pictures.
Judge Daniel Sharples commented on the very high standard of the work. The 1st prize of £300 was won by Simon Blackley with his painting of Garstang High St. 2nd prize winner Rachel Crawshaw chose the Farmers Arms pub as the subject for her entry and Rod Walmsley won 3rd prize of £50 with his delightful study of the Wyre river bank.
Garstang Arts Centre 