Save the Date! Saturday 8th August 2026
Art in the City
8th August 2026
Art In The City is an event for all in Gloucester City centre.
Join us in Gloucester for a creative day! ‘Plein Air’ painting competition and exhibition.
Compete for prizes and enjoy a day of art. Register now!
In it’s eigth year Art In The City looks to host both professional artists and present the opportunity for amateurs and first-timers to get involved.
Winner of 2025
2026 Itinerary Includes
Competitions
Plein Air
Open Art
Family Fun
2026 Competition Prizes
Plein Air Competition
1st Prize – £500
2nd Prize – £200
3rd Prize – £100
The winners of the 1st, 2nd & 3rd prize will also receive a handmade frame — crafted by James Dickins and his team of experts at Period Frames (London) Ltd.
James and his team have been handmaking traditional and contemporary picture frames for over forty years – visit their website
Highly commended x 2 – Art materials Vouchers
Family Competition
Free Art Packs for the first 100 families registered
Prizes for the best family artwork
2026 Plein Air Judges
MJ Ashcroft | Contemporary British Painter
Visit MJAshcroft
Tushar Sabale | Oil Artist
Visit www.tusharsabale.com
Sarah Darby | Cotswold Painter
Visit Sarah Darby
Abigail Waddell | ‘Landscape Artist of the Year’
Visit Abigail Waddell
Jane Clatworthy | Gloucestershire-based abstract painter with a contemporary edge
Visit Tewkesbury Art Studios
2026 Family Competition Judges
Julie Kent MBE | Hero
Visit Julie Kent MBE
Lisa Turner | Gloucester Artist
Visit Lisa Turner
DO I HAVE TO USE PAINT?
You can create a picture in any medium you like as long as you can do it in a day. Oils, watercolours, acrylic, pastels, pen and ink, lino cuts and mixed media but you must be able to create it in day. We do not accept photography.
CAN I MAKE SOME OUTLINES OR PREPARATORY SKETCHES ON MY CANVAS/BOARD?
All materials must be blank and not pre-prepared with background or other preparatory sketches but we will accept primed surfaces.
CAN I PAINT ANYWHERE IN THE CITY?
You can pick anywhere to paint in the set area which covers the pedestrianised Gate Streets (Northgate Street, Eastgate Street, Southgate etc), Kings Square, Cathedral grounds and Gloucester Docks.
Please remember don’t do anything that would break the law or cause a public nuisance while painting. Common sense is the watchword.
CAN I ENTER A PICTURE I PAINTED BEFOREHAND?
No, the whole idea and fun of Art in the City is that everyone creates a picture from scratch in just one day.
Please remember don’t do anything that would break the law or cause a public nuisance while painting. Common sense is the watchword.
WHERE IS THE REGISTRATION HUB?
To find us at Llanthony Priory by sat nav
GL25FZ
What3words – pets.shock.famed
No parking on site.
WHY DO I HAVE TO GO TO THE REGISTRATION POINT FIRST BEFORE I GET PAINTING?
Because we will need to see your confirmation email and put a small stamp on the back of your canvas as proof that you started the day with it completely blank.
CAN I SUBMIT MORE THAN ONE PICTURE?
DO I HAVE TO PAINT OUTDOORS?
IS THERE A MAXIMUM OR MINIMUM SIZE FOR ENTRIES?
CAN I BRING MY FINISHED ARTWORK BACK TO THE REGISTRATION POINT ANY TIME DURING SATURDAY?
DOES MY PICTURE HAVE TO BE FRAMED?
IS THERE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SELL MY ARTWORK?
What else is on?
Walking Gallery
12:00-13:00
Adopt an Artist Art Trail
Trail maps will be available from the Gate art space at 21 Westgate Street and online at gloucestercontemporaryartists.art. This event is organised by Gloucester Contemporary Artists as part of its Summer of Art programme.
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