Artist of Year contest is easel-y as good as on TV!

A picture of tranquillity: Long Eaton Community Garden

A television show that has proved a smash hit with art lovers is to be mimicked in Erewash this month – as a local version of Landscape Artist of the Year is hosted in the borough.

Residents will be grabbing their brushes and paint pots to race against the clock as they create masterpieces in the great outdoors just like those who battle it out on the Sky Arts programme.

The contest is on Sunday 19th July and the venue for a second year running is a thriving and much-loved community garden – which has been backed by the borough council under one of its grant schemes to boost volunteer initiatives that benefit local people.

Artists will have four hours to finish their pictures just like on the show that is hosted by Stephen Mangan. The Long Eaton Community Garden Artist of the Year 2026 contest is billed as “a celebration of local talent and creativity in a beautiful outdoor setting”.

The tranquil garden in Norfolk Road, where residents are encouraged to help grow fruit and veg, is offering a carrot for the winning artist – the chance to have their masterpiece professionally framed by the event’s sponsor Tobi Frames.

The garden’s treasurer Robert Gent said: “Last year’s competition was a huge success, which is why we are doing it again.” Those taking part are asked to donate £5 – and places have already almost all been bagged.

Robert thanked the borough council for the £1,180 Fast Funding Community Grant that has gone to supporting the urban nature initiative. Robert said: “It will help as we expand our activities with a wide range of groups for children and adults.”

The garden was launched eight years ago on land that used to be a car park and which is leased from the borough council. Robert said: “It has been transformed into a thriving and productive space, busy with activity and loud with birdsong.

“The garden’s overriding mission is to grow people, and we do this by offering opportunities to become involved in a range of activities – environmental education, horticulture, garden construction, maintenance, and just enjoying nature and the open air. We have tangible evidence of the benefits of gardening in terms of physical and mental wellbeing.”

Robert added: “We’re very proud of our large pond, which attracts a multitude of wildlife.”

The garden also boasts a “forest school” with a fire pit and seating.

An online review by a local dad reads: “My boys love it at the garden and cannot wait to return –often begging me to go every weekend! The boys have a found a real love of gardening since joining the community garden. They have become so enthusiastic about growing that I am looking at starting our very own fruit and veg patch. Thank you for your time, patience and the energy you put in to provide the community with this fantastic project.”

Another parent posted: “Great place to take the kids – even my teenagers did their bit. Perfect for those who can’t commit to an allotment full time but enjoy dabbling and seeing the fruits of their labour. Try it! You don’t need to know much about gardening – lots of guidance provided if you need it.”

Erewash Borough Council deputy leader Cllr Becca Everett, who is Lead Member for Community Engagement, said: “The community garden is a fantastic asset for local people to enjoy and we are happy to support it. Our grants to initiatives like this come in various forms and are being fuelled by £6.5million that the council has put into our Erewash Investment Fund. It is money earmarked for boosting the borough in all kinds of new ways.”

She urged volunteers involved with other causes that enhance the lives of local people to check if they can get grants here: Community Grants 2026-27 | Erewash Borough Council.

More information on how to sign up to take part in the Long Eaton Community Garden Artist of the Year contest can be found here.