An exhibition of all the entries in the Civic Society’s Maidenhead & Me art competition has opened in the Nicholsons Centre in Maidenhead. It will run until Sunday 6 July 2016.

Home Secretary and Maidenhead MP, Theresa May, who is also a trustee of the Civic Society formally opened the exhibition today (Saturday 21 June) after presenting the prizes to our winners. The event was arranged by the Civic Society as part of National Civic Day, organised by Civic Voice, the national charity for the civic movement.

The competition asked artists to reflect “what Maidenhead means to me” in the medium of their choice. Among the 62 entries received were a relief wood carving, cartoons and a silk painting as well as drawings, photographs and paintings. They also included 14 submissions by youngsters in the Under-16s category.

The exhibition is being held in a shop unit between WH Smiths and Rymans. It is open Wednesday – Saturday (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and Sunday (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Many of the works are for sale.

Maidenhead & Me was jointly sponsored by the Louis Baylis Charitable Trust. Further sponsorship, support and help was afforded by Bovilles Art Shop, Enjoy Maidenhead, the Maidenhead Advertiser and Nicholsons Shopping Centre.

Marie-Anne Leonard of Bovilles and Art on the Street who coordinated the judging said “There were some really imaginative entries and the quality overall was fantastic.”

At the launch and prize giving, which was attended by around 50 guests, Society chairman Bob Dulson said: “A principal aim of the Society since it was formed in 1960 has been to stimulate public consciousness and appreciation of Maidenhead’s assets and with so many planned changes on the cards we felt it was the time to take a look through an artist’s eyes. The results are truly impressive and we hope as many people as possible will take the opportunity to see them.”

Competition results

Adult category

1^st Prize (£250) – Mandy McAllen for ‘Maidenhead in Time’ (mixed media)  

2^nd Prize (£100) – Stephanie Gay for ‘A Town in the Country’ (paint on silk)

3^rd Prize (£50) – Rod Bird for ‘6am on Platform 4’ (photograph)

A special Art on the Street prize was awarded to Geoff Blacker for ‘Maidenhead - A Mirror Image’ (lime wood carving) and the following were given commendation prizes:

June Dobbs for ‘Heritage, Community, River, Fun’ (watercolour crayons, pencil)

Edward Hancock for ‘Maidenhead in Black & White’ (pencil)

Bronwen Renwick for ‘Bridge in Guards Club Gardens’ (pen & wash)

Under-16s category

1^st Prize (£50) – Sophia Carter for ‘Scooters at Oaken Grove’ (pen)

2^nd Prize (£20) – Imogen Quadling for ‘Growing Up at Boulters’ (acrylic)

3^rd Prize (£10) – Isabel Audrey Saunders for ’Modern Maidenhead’ (pencil)

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