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Call for entries to Spirit of The Ridgeway art competition on National trail anniversary




THE Ridgeway – the oldest road in Britain – was historically, a trackway providing a reliable trading route from the Dorset coast along the chalk Downs to the Wash in Norfolk.

Today it is not only the oldest road but is also a wonderful resource for all the communities that live along its route, where all can enjoy walking, riding or just being there.

The Friends of The Ridgeway have established an annual arts competition and prize – the Swire Ridgeway Arts Prize.

Lin Kerr’s Galloping to Uffington, from the 2022 exhibition. Lin explores and exploits oil paints in layers of scratching back and adding marks, using a variety of tools and often just fingers or a palette knife to manipulate the paint. She often works over a background of text which is physically integrated yet stylistically juxtaposed adding contemplation. All her landscapes, often understated and generic, originate from her observation, usually from Oxfordshire. Her work ranges in size from 20cm x 20cm up to 100cm in length. Lin has produced art for as long as she can remember. Her background is deeply rooted in fine arts, and after many years in calligraphy and graphic design, she has recently returned to her first love of oil painting. Lin is a compulsive recorder of musings and thoughts about her medium and materials, and these are expressed in her blog.
Lin Kerr’s Galloping to Uffington, from the 2022 exhibition. Lin explores and exploits oil paints in layers of scratching back and adding marks, using a variety of tools and often just fingers or a palette knife to manipulate the paint. She often works over a background of text which is physically integrated yet stylistically juxtaposed adding contemplation. All her landscapes, often understated and generic, originate from her observation, usually from Oxfordshire. Her work ranges in size from 20cm x 20cm up to 100cm in length. Lin has produced art for as long as she can remember. Her background is deeply rooted in fine arts, and after many years in calligraphy and graphic design, she has recently returned to her first love of oil painting. Lin is a compulsive recorder of musings and thoughts about her medium and materials, and these are expressed in her blog.

An exhibition of all four categories will be held in Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall, Uffington, on Saturday, April 22, and Sunday, April 23, with an associated online exhibition.

The aim of the competition is to bring the Ridgeway to life not only as a long-distance trail but also as an artistic inspiration, and to show the Ridgeway, its history and environs, in all their aspects throughout all seasons.

The theme of the competition is ‘Spirit of the Ridgeway’.

The main points of the prize competition are:

  • Separate classes for painting, sculpture (including ceramics and textiles), photography and writing (poetry or prose)
  • Open to all artists, amateur and professional, of any age
  • Art work submitted must be produced in the 24 months prior to the closing date
  • The results of the competition will be announced and prizes awarded at the Ridgeway Friends Day planned for April 23
  • The closing date for entries will be one month prior to the competition, March 23

All entrants will receive one year’s membership of The Friends of The Ridgeway.

Each category winner will receive a keeper prize plus £100.

The overall winner will receive a keeper prize plus £250 and a trophy.

To enter, applicants should go to The Friends of The Ridgeway website.

Entrants need to complete the entry form and submit it with their art work.

Why not seek artistic inspiration from the Ridgeway and then, through the Swire Ridgeway Arts Prize, share it with all those that love and value the Ridgeway?

Email swireartsprize@gmail.com

Further information can be obtained from either joint administrators Jane Imbush 07739 644064 or Nathan Boyd 07568 707469.

Eighty-seven miles long, The Ridgeway National Trail was officially opened in September 1973. Its western end is at Overton Hill, near Avebury in Wiltshire.

The trail runs along the North Wessex Downs, drops down to the Thames at Streatley, then continues north-eastwards through the Chilterns, rising to its eastern end at Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire.

Walkers, runners, cyclists, horse riders, carriage drivers, disabled people using mobility scooters and artists are drawn to the trail’s viewpoints, prehistoric monuments, nature reserves, pubs and more.

The Ridgeway Partnership, which manages and promotes the Ridgeway National Trail, has organised activities and events to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the trail https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/ridgeway_anniversary2023/ including a monthly #RidgewaySpotter activity devised by Friends of the Ridgeway.



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