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Leugh an tionndadh Gàidhlig den duilleig seo
WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT (16th October 2026)
Many congratulations to Jenny Cunningham from An Talla Solais (Ullapool) for winning the 2026 Highland Art Prize with her artwork Evening Light, Camanscoille. The winner was chosen by judges Eòghann Mac Colla and Scott Bennett and announced at the awards ceremony at The Briggait in central Glasgow, in conjunction with the Royal National Mòd. As well as the cash prize of £1,000 presented by the Highland Society of London (and shared with her local art organisation), Jenny wins the opportunity to mount an exhibition at The Briggait during 2027, courtesy of Wasps Studios.
Announcing the prize, Eòghann Mac Colla said: “This was the piece that immediately caught my eye as the strongest in the selection this year. Dark and delicate at the same time, it draws you in. The ambiguity and simplicity make it all the more powerful, the epitome of less is more – congratulations, Jenny!”
The highly-commended runner-up was Larch by Sheila Robertson (also from An Talla Solais), who wins £250 in artist materials vouchers courtesy of The Strathearn Gallery and The Annan Gallery (who also kindly donated £25 vouchers for each of the shortlisted artists).
Commenting on Sheila’s artwork, Scott Bennett said: “This is a painting with a fresh, vibrant energy and a great sense of freedom in the mark-making. I enjoy the contrast between the sweeping strokes and golden glow of the larch with the cooler background tones and the raw canvas. There’s a sense of confidence about the work which makes it feel very spontaneous and dynamic.”
Many thanks to all of the artists and art organisations who participated in this year’s Highland Art Prize – we look forward to seeing everyone again next year in Stornoway.
SHORTLIST ANNOUNCEMENT (10th October 2026)
The Highland Society of London, in conjunction with An Comunn Gàidhealach, is delighted to announce that the following 12 artworks have been shortlisted for the 2026 Highland Art Prize by this year’s judges, multi-disciplinary artist Eòghann Mac Colla and gallery owner Scott Bennett – with the winner to be announced by the judges at a prize-giving ceremony at The Briggait, 141 Bridgegate, Glasgow, G1 5HZ on Friday 16th October at 12.30pm, to which all are welcome:
Cuir air an coire! by Lillian Crichton (Deò Hebridean Artist Collective)
Elemental by Lydia Warren (Uist Arts Association)
Evening Light, Camanscoille by Jenny Cunningham (An Talla Solais, Ullapool)
Healthy Trees, Healthy People/Craobhan Fallain, Dainone Fallain by Sheila Garden (Perthshire Art Association)
Hebridean Tiger by Nicola Neate (Uist Arts Association)
In the Shadows of Mull by Deb Wing (Printmakers of Scotland)
Larch by Sheila Robertson (An Talla Solais, Ullapool)
Primrose Beach, Portuairk, Ardnamurchan by Helen L Robertson (Skye and Lochalsh Arts and Crafts Association)
The Land Remembers by Angela Scrivin (Artmap Argyll)
The Water Poem by Morag Young (An Ealdhain Arts Trust, Lochaber)
They Are The Future by Patricia Hughes (Society of Badenoch & Strathspey Artists)
Velocity by Heather Ogilvie (Perthshire Art Association)
Alex Ogilvie (trustee, Highland Society of London) said: “We are delighted to be back at The Briggait for the 2026 Highland Art Prize, in conjunction with the Royal National Mòd. With a record number of artworks submitted by a record number of local art organisations, this year’s exhibition is a great celebration of visual art from across the Highlands and Islands, and we thank Wasps Studios, the Strathearn Gallery (Crieff) and the Annan Gallery (Glasgow) for their support.”
Kate Gray (Chief Executive of Wasps Studios): “Now in its fifth year, the Highland Art Prize is an important platform for recognising the depth, diversity and vitality of visual art across the region. This year’s record submissions are testament to the prize’s significance in celebrating Scotland’s creative communities and the organisations that help them thrive.”
The winning artist will receive £1,000 (to be shared with their local art organisation), plus a solo exhibition opportunity at The Briggait in Glasgow, courtesy of Wasps Studios, the charity that provides studio spaces to artists and makers across Scotland. The highly commended runner-up will receive £250 in artist materials vouchers, and each of the shortlisted nominees will receive £25 in vouchers, all kindly provided by The Strathearn Gallery (Crieff) and The Annan Gallery (Glasgow).
Many thanks to Eòghann Mac Colla and Scott Bennett for choosing their shortlist from the 76 artworks submitted by 16 different art organisations from around the Highlands and Islands, most of which are for sale; and to Wasps Studios for hosting the exhibition at The Briggait, which is open every day throughout the Royal National Mòd (Friday 9th-Saturday 17th October 2026, daily 9am-5pm, free entry).
UPDATE (16th September 2026)
A record number of 76 artworks have been submitted for this year’s Highland Art Prize by 16 arts organisations from across the Highland and Islands, now available to view in the Gallery section of this website. All the artworks will be exhibited at The Briggait, 141 Bridgegate, Glasgow G1 5HZ from Friday 9th – Saturday 17th October 2026 (9am-5pm), in conjunction with the Royal National Mòd, and most of the artworks are for sale.
Everyone is invited to join us for the prize-giving from 12.30pm-1pm on Friday 16th October 2026, also at The Briggait, led by this year’s judges: multi-disciplinary artist Eòghann Mac Colla and gallery owner Scott Bennett. Prizes are provided by the Highland Society of London, Wasps Studios, the Strathearn Gallery (Crieff) and the Annan Gallery (Glasgow).
UPDATE (25th August 2026)
The winner of the 2025 Highland Art Prize, Katherine Sutherland (East Sutherland Art Society), is exhibiting a collection of paintings entitled The Way I See It at Wasps Studios, The Briggait in Glasgow from 9th October – 9th November 2026. The opening of this exhibition coincides with the opening of the 2026 Highland Art Prize exhibition also at The Briggait, in conjunction with the Royal National Mòd.
Katherine writes: “This exhibition brings together a collection of paintings inspired by the places, objects and moments that capture my attention. From the ever changing Scottish landscape to quiet interiors and intimate still lifes, each work is a personal response to what I observe and remember. The Way I See It is an invitation to step into my world and to experience familiar subjects through a different lens, where colour shapes memory, light transforms place, and the everyday becomes extraordinary.”
Katherine Sutherland is an award-winning contemporary Scottish artist based in the Highlands. Working across oil, watercolour, collage and mixed media, she uses colour as her primary means of expression, creating expressive landscapes, interiors, figures, florals and still life paintings that capture atmosphere, memory and emotional resonance. Katherine received the 2025 Highland Art Prize for her artwork Sentinel of the Northwest/Fear-faire an iar-thuath.
2026 JUDGING UPDATE (7th July 2026)
We are delighted to announce that Eòghann Mac Colla and Scott Bennett will be the judges for the 2026 Highland Art Prize. Eòghann and Scott will be selecting a shortlist from the exhibition of around 75 artworks from the Highlands and Islands due to take place at The Briggait in central Glasgow from 9th-17th October 2026, in conjunction with the Royal National Mòd; and will be announcing this year’s winner during the prize-giving event at 12.30pm on Friday 16th October 2026, also at The Briggait, courtesy of Wasps Studios.
Eòghann Mac Colla is a multi-disciplinary artist based in Ayrshire. His practice is connected to a participatory approach, and he has worked within education at every level as a visual artist, co-curating and producing creative spaces and equitable opportunities for people from all backgrounds and ages. The focus of his practice is around place & situation, time & memory – and remains closely tied to Gaelic culture.
Scott Bennett (together with his wife Susan) owns and directs two Scottish Fine Art galleries – the Strathearn Gallery in Crieff and the Annan Gallery in Glasgow. Renowned for their commitment to Scottish contemporary art, the galleries present a dynamic programme of regularly changing exhibitions, showcasing exceptional work by leading artists and bringing it to collectors and art-lovers around the world.
2026 PRIZE UPDATE (6th June 2026)
The Highland Society of London is delighted to report that in addition to the £1,000 prize for the winner (to be shared with their corresponding arts organisation), Wasps Studios have confirmed that they will once again offer the opportunity for the winner to mount a solo exhibition in The Briggait in central Glasgow, at some point during 2027.
Alongside that, The Strathearn Gallery and the Annan Gallery will present a £250 voucher for artist materials to the highly commended runner-up; plus £25 vouchers to each of the 10-12 shortlisted artists. We look forward to seeing everyone for the 2026 Highland Art Prize at The Briggait, 141 Bridgegate, Glasgow G1 5HZ from 9th-17th October 2026, in conjunction with An Comunn Gàidhealach.
2026 COMPETITION UPDATE (31st March 2026)
The Highland Society of London is delighted to announce that the Highland Art Prize will return for a fifth year in conjunction with An Comunn Gàidhealach as part of the Royal National Mòd from Friday 9th October to Saturday 17th October 2026, during which the 70+ artworks comprising the Highland Art Prize exhibition will be open to the public at The Briggait, 141 Bridgegate, Glasgow G1 5HZ, courtesy of Wasps.
We are also grateful to Wasps, the UK’s largest provider of studios and creative spaces, for once again offering the winning artist the opportunity to mount an exhibition during 2027 in a street-front space at The Briggait in central Glasgow. For more details about participating in this year’s Highland Art Prize, please review the Entries page for details.
WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT (17th October 2025)
Many congratulations to Katherine Sutherland from the East Sutherland Art Society for winning the 2025 Highland Art Prize with her artwork Sentinel of the Northwest/Fear-faire an iar-thuath. The winner was chosen by judges Beth Robertson Fiddes and Donnie Munro and announced at the awards ceremony hosted by Mary Ann Kennedy at the McCallum Art House in Fort William, in conjunction with the Royal National Mòd.
As well as the cash prize of £1,000 (shared with her local art organisation) presented by the Highland Society of London, Katherine wins the opportunity to mount an exhibition at The Briggait in Central Glasgow during 2026, courtesy of Wasps Studios.
Announcing the prize, Beth Robertson Fiddes said: “Katherine’s painting was one which stood out straight away. Her use of warm vibrant colours in the foreground and cooler muted tones in the upper areas immediately create a real sense of scale and distance. Her use of pattern, texture and collage, layer upon layer indicate a long process of selection and rejection to pull the composition together as a whole. More details appear the longer you look at the piece. The final result is an impactful work with a real sense of place which I feel thoroughly deserves the award.”
The highly-commended runner-up was Who Controls the Past Controls the Future, Who Controls the Present Controls the Past by Ian Whyte (Art Society of Inverness), who wins £250 in gift vouchers courtesy of Cass Art. Commenting on Ian Whyte’s work, Donnie Munro said: “I was greatly taken by the level of excellent draughtsmanship evidenced in this work and the very interesting composition, with a great deal of movement created by the placing of the figures with the narrative.”
All of the shortlisted artists received a hand care gift set kindly donated by the Highland Soap Company. Many thanks to all of the artists and art organisations who participated in this year’s Highland Art Prize – we look forward to seeing everyone again next year in Glasgow.
SHORTLIST ANNOUNCEMENT (11th October 2025)
The Highland Society of London, in conjunction with An Comunn Gàidhealach, is delighted to announce that the following 12 artworks have been shortlisted for the 2025 Highland Art Prize by this year’s judges, Scottish contemporary artist Beth Robertson Fiddes and Gaelic polymath Donnie Munro – with the winner to be announced at a prize-giving ceremony at the McCallum Art House, Parade House, The Parade, Fort William PH33 6BA on Friday 17th October at 12.30pm:
Stacks at Mangersta by Lillian Crichton (Open Studios Hebrides)
Cnoc Fuar by Mike Darling (An Tobar and Mull Theatre)
Falls by Laura Donkers (Uist Arts Association)
The World’s on Fire by Christine Ewan (Art Society of Inverness)
Narrowlands by Daniel Freytag (Artmap Argyll)
George’s Window of Contentment by Carole Gutteridge (Society of Badenoch and Strathspey Artists)
Washed Up/Bàrrlach by Anna Raven/Anna Nic an Fhithich (An Ealdhain Arts Trust, Lochaber)
High Up by Stephen Redpath (An Talla Solais, Ullapool)
Shore – “Why did the spring-tide not last”/Traigh – “Caimar nach do mhair an reothart” by Charlie Scott (Scottish Arts Club)
Borrowdale by Debbie Shepherd (Society of Badenoch and Strathspey Artists)
Sentinel of the Northwest/Fear-faire an iar-thuath by Katherine Sutherland (East Sutherland Art Society)
Who Controls the Past Controls the Future, Who Controls the Present Controls the Past by Ian Whyte (Art Society of Inverness)
Beth Robertson Fiddes said: “The submissions are of a very high standard and it’s fantastic to see the breadth of artistic talent out there. The works are diverse both in subject and technique making the task of choosing those works which I felt stood out both enjoyable and daunting. Some of the pieces evoke a real sense of place, some familiar and some still to see, while others capture the imagination and invite the viewer to engage with a different perspective. Every artist in this exhibition deserves recognition and I wish them every success in the future.”
Donnie Munro said: “It has been a great privilege to have served on the Judging Panel for this year’s competition. I am delighted to see the visual arts presented as part of the Mòd celebration as visual culture has a well-established and distinct place in the histories of the Scottish and Irish Gaidhealtachd. The standard of the work was very high making the selection process a difficult one. I hope that everyone will enjoy the selected works.”
The winning artist will receive £1,000 (to be shared with their local art organisation), plus an exhibition opportunity at The Briggait in Glasgow, courtesy of Wasps Studios, the charity that provides studio spaces to artists and creators across Scotland. The highly commended runner-up will receive a £250 voucher from Cass Art, the UK’s leading art materials supplier. All of the shortlisted artists will receive a hand care gift set donated by Fort William’s very own Highland Soap Company.
UPDATE (15th September 2025)
An impressive collection of 70 artworks have been submitted for this year’s Highland Art Prize by 15 arts organisations from across the Highland and Islands, now available to view in the Gallery section of this website. All the artworks will be exhibited at The McCallum Art House, Parade House, The Parade, Fort William PH33 6BA from Friday 10th – Saturday 18th October 2025 (11am-5pm), in conjunction with the Royal National Mòd.
Everyone is invited to join us for the Opening Night at the McCallum Art House from 5.30pm-7pm on Saturday 11th October 2025, when the shortlist selected by this year’s judges Beth Robertson Fiddes and Donnie Munro will be unveiled, and refreshments will be provided. The prize-giving will then take place from 12.30pm-1pm on Friday 17th October 2025, also at the McCallum Art House, with prizes provided by the Highland Society of London, Wasps Studios, Cass Art and the Highland Soap Company – again, all welcome.
UPDATE (22nd August 2025)
It is wonderful to see the McCallum Art House back up and running in Fort William, hosting an exhibition of local Lochaber artists with An Ealdhain Arts Trust (through until 30th August 2025), from which five artworks will be selected to participate in the 2025 Highland Art Prize that is also taking place in the gallery from 10th-18th October, in conjunction with the Royal National Mòd.
The 2025 Highland Art Prize will bring together 60+ recent artworks from across the Highlands and Islands, with prizes provided by the Highland Society of London, Wasps Studios, Cass Art and the Highland Soap Company. The exhibition culminates in the prize-giving at 12.30pm on Friday 17th October at the McCallum Art House in Fort William, hosted by judges Beth Robertson Fiddes and Donnie Munro.
PRIZE UPDATE (23rd June 2025)
The Highland Society of London is delighted to report that in addition to the £1,000 prize for the winner (to be shared with their corresponding arts organisation), Wasps Studios have confirmed that they will once again offer the opportunity for the winner to mount a solo exhibition in The Briggait in Central Glasgow, ideally in October 2026 when the 2026 Highland Art Prize exhibition will also be taking place (as the Royal National Mòd is in Glasgow next year).
Alongside that, Cass Art will present a £250 gift voucher to the highly commended runner-up; and in addition, Fort William’s very own Highland Soap Company is offering one of their hand care gift sets free to each of the 10-12 shortlisted artists. We look forward to seeing everyone for the 2025 Highland Art Prize at the McCallum Art House in Fort William from 10th-18th October 2025, in conjunction with Mòd Loch Abar.
2025 JUDGING UPDATE (9th May 2025)
We are delighted to announce that Beth Robertson Fiddes and Donnie Munro will be the judges for the 2025 Highland Art Prize. Beth and Donnie will be selecting a shortlist from the exhibition of more than 60 artworks from around the Highlands and Islands due to take place at the McCallum Art House from 10th-18th October 2025, in conjunction with the Royal National Mòd; and will be announcing this year’s winner during the prize-giving event at 12.30pm on Friday 17th October 2025, also at the McCallum Art House.
Beth Robertson Fiddes is a contemporary Scottish artist based in Elphin in the Northwest Highlands, painting land and seascapes using a variety of media. She spent her early childhood on Tiree and, after a spell in Kansas, moved to Kingussie. She studied at Edinburgh College of Art, graduating with a degree in sculpture in 1995. Since then, she has continued to draw and paint, travelling around the West Highlands and Islands of Scotland to collect source material and sketches which are then worked up into larger pieces in her studio. She shows in galleries throughout Scotland.
Dr Donnie Munro is the Director of Development, Fundraising and the Arts, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig. He was born in Uig, Isle of Skye, and studied at Portree High School and Gray’s College of Art, Aberdeen. Following an internationally successful and award-winning career with Scottish Rock Band, Runrig, and as a solo artist, he has (amongst many other achievements) worked as an art teacher and served on the board of national Gaelic arts agency Pròiseact nan Ealan. As a visual artist, he exhibits regularly through the Scottish Gallery, Edinburgh, and Gallery of Modern Art, Glasgow.
2025 COMPETITION UPDATE (11th April 2025)
The Highland Society of London is delighted to announce that the Highland Art Prize will return for a fourth year in conjunction with An Comunn Gàidhealach as part of the Royal National Mòd from Friday 10th October to Saturday 18th October 2025, during which the 60-75 artworks comprising the Highland Art Prize exhibition will be open to the public at McCallum Art House, Parade House, The Parade, Fort William PH33 6BA.
We are grateful to Wasps, the UK’s largest provider of studios and creative spaces, for offering the winning artist the opportunity to mount an exhibition during 2026 in a street-front space at The Briggait cultural hub in central Glasgow. For more details about participating in this year’s Highland Art Prize, please review the Entries page for details.
UPDATE (16th February 2025)
As part of her reward for winning the 2024 Highland Art Prize, Jules Mather from Artmap Argyll will be displaying recent artworks in a solo exhibition at The Briggait in central Glasgow, courtesy of Wasps. The exhibition runs from 14th March to 14th April 2025 (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm), with an Opening evening on Friday 14th March (5pm-8pm).
WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT (18th October 2024)
Many congratulations to Jules Mather from Artmap Argyll for winning the 2024 Highland Art Prize with the artwork Travelling Alone. The winning artwork was selected by Ishbel Murray, the artist and art teacher based on the Isle of Lewis, and announced today (Friday 18th October) at the Rockfield Centre in Oban, in conjunction with the Royal National Mòd.
Travelling Alone by Jules Mather (Artmap Argyll)
Outlining the reasoning for her choice, Ishbel Murray commented that: “this beautiful composition demonstrates what can be achieved when a high level of skill and imagination come together to produce an image that appeals both to the eye and the mind of the observer.” The highly commended runner-up was Catherine Sargeant from An Talla Solais (Ullapool) with the artwork Inverewe – Branches Make Trees.
James Graham (Royal National Mòd), Ishbel Murray (2024 Highland Art Prize judge), Jules Mather (Artmap Argyll), Alex Ogilvie (Highland Society of London) photo: Peter Sandground
The Highland Society of London would like to thank the trustees and all the volunteers of the Rockfield Centre, who hosted the 2024 Highland Art Prize; Ishbel Murray, who judged the competition; the Royal National Mòd (represented at the prize-giving by their CEO, James Graham); Wasps Studios (who will provide an exhibition opportunity for the winner at The Briggait in Glasgow during 2025); and Cass Art (who gave a £250 voucher to the highly commended artist, and goodie bags to all those shortlisted).
We look forward to welcoming everyone at next year’s Highland Art Prize in Fort William during October 2025.
SHORTLIST UPDATE (12th October 2024)
The Highland Society of London, Wasps Studios and Cass Art are delighted to announce that the following 12 artworks have been shortlisted by Ishbel Murray, the artist and art teacher based on the Isle of Lewis, for the 2024 Highland Art Prize – with the winner to be announced at the prize-giving ceremony at The Rockfield Centre, Rockfield Brae, Oban PA34 5DQ, on Friday 18th October at 12.30pm:
Blue Grey Sea, Cille Pheadair, South Uist/Sé Liath, Cille Pheadair, South Uist by Caroline Hunter (Artmap Argyll)
Dùthchas: Pabaigh Strollers by Yasmin Davidson (Uist Arts Association)
In the Wilds/Anns an Fhàsach by David Deamer (Resipole Studios, Ardnamurchan)
Inverewe – Branches Make Trees by Catherine Sargeant (An Talla Solais, Ullapool)
Metamorphic (2023) by Laura Donkers (Uist Arts Association)
Rust, Trotternish by John Nicholson (Art Society of Inverness)
Snow Colours, Moray Firth by Jude Edgar (An Talla Solais, Ullapool)
The Edge of the Atlantic 3 by Lesley McKenzie (Open Studios Hebrides, Isle of Lewis)
The Vast Expanse/An Leud Mòr by Jane Rushton (Resipole Studios, Ardnamurchan)
The Vennel by Katie Squires (Society of Caithness Artists)
Travelling Alone by Jules Mather (Artmap Argyll)
240 Burning Houses by Michael Forbes (Teapot Trust, Dingwall)
The prize-giving is free for all to attend and will be hosted in conjunction with the Royal National Mòd. The winning artist will receive £1,000 (to be shared with their local art organisation), plus an exhibition opportunity at The Briggait in Glasgow, courtesy of Wasps Studios, the charity that provides studio spaces to artists and creators across Scotland. The highly commended runner-up will receive £250 gift voucher from Cass Art, the leading art materials supplier.
Many thanks to Ishbel Murray for choosing her shortlist from the 60 excellent artworks in the exhibition, which is open every day 10.00am-3.00pm until Saturday 19th October at the Rockfield Centre.
UPDATE (18th September 2024)
The 60 inspiring artworks submitted by 14 arts organisations from across the Highland and Islands are now available to view in the Gallery section of this website, and will be exhibited at The Rockfield Centre, Rockfield Brae, Oban from 11th-19th October 2024 during the Royal National Mòd week, with the support of Wasps and Cass Art.
Everyone is invited to join us for the Opening Night at the Rockfield Centre from 5.30pm-7.00pm on Saturday 12th October, when the shortlist selected by this year’s judge Ishbel Murray will be unveiled and refreshments will be provided. The prize-giving will then take place from 12.30pm-1.00pm on Friday 18th October, also at the Rockfield Centre – again, all welcome.
Sunset, Coral Bay, Claigan, Skye/Dol fodha na grèine, Bàgh à Corail, An Claigean, An t-Eilean Sgitheanach (Ian Whyte, Art Society of Inverness)
UPDATE (7th August 2024)
In addition to our annual winner, the 2024 Highland Art Prize will award a £250 gift voucher from leading art supplies company Cass Art to the artist selected as Highly Commended by our judge, Ishbel Murray. In prior years, that has included Lady of the Flowers by Leah Davis (Society of Caithness Artists):
Many thanks to Cass Art for their support, which also includes providing art supplies goodie bags to those artists whose works are shortlisted for the 2024 Highland Art Prize, on view at the Rockfield Centre in Oban from 11th-19th October, in conjunction with the Royal National Mòd; and a discount voucher available to all members of participating arts organisations.
UPDATE (27th May 2024)
We are delighted to confirm that Ishbel Murray, the artist and art teacher based on the Isle of Lewis, will once again be the judge for the 2024 Highland Art Prize. Ishbel will be selecting a shortlist from the exhibition of more than 70 artworks from around the Highlands and Islands that is taking place at the Rockfield Centre in Oban from 11th-19th October 2024, in conjunction with the Royal National Mòd; and will be announcing the winner during the prize-giving event at 12.30pm on Friday 18th October 2024, also at the Rockfield Centre.
Ishbel Murray was born and brought up on the island of Lewis. She left the island in 1976 to study at the Glasgow School of Art. After graduating and returning briefly to the island she left to complete her diploma in Teaching Art and Design at Moray House in Edinburgh. Ishbel has divided her working life between teaching in schools and colleges and striving to develop and maintain her own skills as an artist. A year teaching English in Italy in 1992 inspired her to take a greater interest in her mother tongue. Over time the Gaelic language and the culture associated with it has had a profound effect on her practice as an artist as well as her profession as a teacher. Following several decades of employment as a Gaelic lecturer in Glasgow she has returned to Lewis where the routine of the classroom has been replaced by many hours working in the art studio and regular walks on the lovely beach at Aird Tong.
2024 COMPETITION UPDATE (8th April 2024)
The Highland Society of London is delighted to announce that the Highland Art Prize will return in conjunction with An Comunn Gàidhealach as part of the Royal National Mòd from Friday 11th October to Saturday 19th October 2024, during which the Highland Art Prize exhibition will be open to the public at The Rockfield Centre, Rockfield Brae, Stevenson Street, Oban, PA34 5DQ.
We are grateful to Wasps, the UK’s largest provider of studios and creative spaces, for offering the winning artist the opportunity to mount an exhibition during 2025 in a street-front space at The Briggait cultural hub in central Glasgow. For more details about participating in this year’s Highland Art Prize, please review the Entries page for details.
Congratulations once again to 2023 Highland Art Prize winner David Greenall, whose work is currently on display at An Lanntair in Stornoway through Saturday 4th May 2024, together with ceramics by Sue Blair, in an exhibition entitled “Paint and Clay“.
David Greenall, winner of the 2023 Highland Art Prize
WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT (20th October 2023)
Many congratulations to David Greenall from An Lanntair/Open Studios Hebrides for winning the 2023 Highland Art Prize with the artwork Crofts at South Dell/Croitean aig Dail bho Dheas. The winning artwork was selected by Ishbel Murray, the artist and art teacher based on the Isle of Lewis, and announced at a well-attended prize-giving at The Briggait in Glasgow today (Friday 20th October).
Crofts at South Dell by David Greenall (An Lanntair/Open Studios Hebrides)
Outlining the reasoning for her choice, Ishbel Murray commented that: “David’s artwork captures the atmospheric essence of this crofting location by the sea through a highly sensitive use of colour involving the demanding method of blending pigment and wax to achieve a shimmering effect in an image that has been beautifully reduced to its essential elements.”
The Highland Society of London would like to thank Wasps Studios (represented at the prize-giving by their CEO, Audrey Carlin), who hosted the 2023 Highland Art Prize and will provide an exhibition opportunity for the winner during 2024; Ishbel Murray, who judged the competition; the Royal National Mòd (represented at the prize-giving by their President, Maggie Cunningham); Renfrewshire Council; and Bòrd na Gàidhlig.
Audrey Carlin (Wasps), Alex Ogilvie (Highland Society of London), Ishbel Murray (2023 Highland Art Prize judge), Maggie Cunningham (Royal National Mòd).
We look forward to welcoming everyone at the next Highland Art Prize in Oban during October 2024.
SHORTLIST UPDATE (14th October 2023)
The Highland Society of London and Wasps Studios are delighted to announce that the following 12 artworks have been shortlisted by Ishbel Murray, the artist and art teacher based on the Isle of Lewis, for the 2023 Highland Art Prize – with the winner to be announced at the prize-giving ceremony at The Briggait, 141 Bridgegate, Glasgow G1 5HZ, on Friday 20th October at 12.30pm:
Crofts at South Dell/Croitean aig Dail bho Dheas by David Greenall (An Lanntair)
Digging For Bait (Thurso Beach)/A cladhach airson biathadh by Jackie Newton (Society of Caithness Artists)
571186degrees Wind Drawing/Dealbh Gaoith by Bronwyn Mackenzie (An Lanntair)
Flying to Bass by Kittie Jones (An Talla Solais)
Lady Of The Flowers by Leah Davis (Society of Caithness Artists)
Locheport, North Uist/Loch Euphort, Uibhist a Tuath by Margaret Fenton/ Mairead Fiannacta (Uist Arts Association/ Chomann Ealain Uibhist)
Napoleon Bay, Shieldaig by Sheila Garden (Perthshire Art Association)
North Beach, Iona/An tràigh a tuath, Ì by Robert Kelsey (Paisley Art Institute)
North Uist Beach/Tràigh Uibhist a Tuath by Alan B Hayman (Resipole Studios)
Ruthven Barracks by Bob Kinnaird (Society of Badenoch and Strathspey Artists)
Summer Oaks – Ardnamurchan by Liz Green (Art Society of Inverness)
The Ouse, Westray, Orkney by Amy Marshall (Resipole Studios)
The prize-giving is free for all to attend and will be hosted in conjunction with the Royal National Mòd, Wasps Studios, Renfrewshire Council and Bòrd na Gàidhlig. The winning artist will receive £1,000 (to be shared with their local art organisation), plus an exhibition opportunity at the Briggait in Glasgow, courtesy of Wasps Studios, the charity that provides studio spaces to artists and creators across Scotland.
Many thanks to Ishbel Murray for choosing her shortlist from the 74 wonderful artworks in the exhibition, which is now open every day 9.30am-5.30pm until Saturday 21 October.
UPDATE (29th September 2023)
In addition to the exhibition and prize-giving (see below), there are two special events happening on Thursday 19th October. Firstly, competition judge Ishbel Murray will introduce a digital presentation of the 12 artworks shortlisted for the 2023 Highland Art Prize; together with new work by 2022 Highland Art Prize winner David Page. This event is taking place at 12.30pm at Skinnedars, Paisley Town Hall, Abbey Close, Paisley PA1 1JF, in conjunction with the Royal National Mòd.
Then at 4pm on Thursday 19th October, back at The Briggait, 141 Bridgegate, Glasgow G1 5HZ, Ishbel Murray will lead a Gaelic-medium tour of the exhibition, in conversation with broadcaster Catriona Murray. This will be conducted primarily in Gaelic, but English translation will be provided if needed. Please book for this tour using Eventbrite. Both these events are free to attend, and all are welcome.
UPDATE (22nd September 2023)
The 74 fantastic artworks submitted by 16 arts organisations from across the Highland and Islands are now available to view in the Gallery section of this website and will be exhibited at the The Briggait, 141 Bridgegate, Glasgow G1 5HZ from 13th-21st October during the Royal National Mòd week, courtesy of Wasps.
Over the next few weeks, competition judge Ishbel Murray will be deliberating on her choice of the winner, to be announced at 12.30pm on Friday 20th October at The Briggait. Both the exhibition (which is open daily from 9.30am-5.30pm) and the prize-giving itself are free to attend, and all are welcome.
UPDATE (11th August 2023)
Alongside the 2023 Highland Art Prize exhibition, last year’s winner David Page will be exhibiting a collection of new work at The Briggait, 141 Bridgegate, Glasgow throughout October 2023. Entitled Highland Colours and presented courtesy of Wasps, this collection includes Uaine:
Introducing these artworks, David Page writes: “Our Highland landscape has been shaped by a vast range of natural forces – amongst them, geological movement, erosion, natural growth and weather. What is left are forms, shapes and colours that have been marked through the generations by Gaelic placenames. This exhibition, made of layered paint, scraped and scratched back surfaces, soaked, dissolved and running acrylic, explores the idea of a distinctive Gaelic colour chart embedded in these mountain placenames.”