Windsor and Eton En Plein Air 2024 is the Royal Borough’s largest outdoor painting competition and street gallery
En Plein Air will take place on Saturday, July 20 inside the grounds of Windsor Castle.
Started in 2012 as part of the HM Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee celebrations, this event has continued to grow in popularity, attracting hundreds of artists from all over the world.
In 2022, over 90 artists converged at Windsor Castle to create their own masterpieces within a six hour time frame at various locations in the grounds.
This year, Windsor Castle will again host the event which has the added incentive of an increased prize fund for the winners, the event hopes to attract over one hundred artists to the Castle.
First prize will receive £2,000, second £500 and third £250.
On the day artists bring their canvases, painting materials and an easel.
Their canvasses are stamped at the beginning of the day, the artist can then choose one of the 11 locations within Windsor Castle from which to create their piece of work.
They then have just six hours to complete their piece of art.
Having completed their work, artists are invited to exhibit their piece as part of an open-air pop-up exhibition in Windsor Royal Shopping, where the public will have the opportunity to see and buy the work.
The Gallery opens at 5.00pm with judging by a panel of industry experts followed by the prize-giving at 6.00pm.
Louise Wilson, Chair of the Windsor & Eton Business Partnership said “We are grateful to His Majesty for allowing this wonderful competition to take place in the grounds of Windsor Castle allowing artists the opportunity to paint in unique spaces.
“Whilst thousands, if not millions of people take pictures of Windsor Castle, this is a rare opportunity for people paint and to purchase great paintings, some of which will be of special areas that the public are not normally invited in into. We look forward to a marvellous event.”.
All artists wanting to take part can register online.
The competition runs from 9am to 4:30pm. Judging will take place at 5pm and prize giving at 6pm.
Entrance is £60 which can be paid via the Windsor.gov.uk or tinyurl.com/9c4ytcy.
