Amateur and professional artists are invited to enter new competition as The Art of Buckler’s Hard exhibition opens

March 18, 2024

To celebrate the opening of The Art of Buckler’s Hard exhibition, professional and budding artists are being invited to enter their artworks of the maritime village in a new competition
Chosen entries will be put on display, alongside paintings by Sky Arts’ Landscape Artist of the Year semi-finalists and artworks from the Montagu family collection in The Art of Buckler’s Hard. The free exhibition can be seen in the Shipyard Office from March 16 – November 3.
Artists can take inspiration from the Landscape Artist of the Year semi-finalists who were recently tasked with capturing the natural charm of Buckler’s Hard and its rich maritime history. Winner Monica Popham came back to see her original painting on display and was joined at the exhibition preview by fellow competitors including Tony Griffin, whose painting was chosen as the favourite of Buckler’s Hard Director, the Hon. Mary Montagu-Scott.
While creating The Art of Buckler’s Hard exhibition, Mary delved into the Montagu family archives for a varied collection of watercolours, oil paintings, sketchbooks, textiles and other works of art.

She explained: “We have gathered artwork from across the centuries, which has been tucked away in drawers, our archives and family homes, to create the new exhibition. We are excited to see it come together in one place, together with works by New Forest artists and Landscape Artist of the Year semi-finalists which showcase the beauty and maritime history of Buckler’s Hard.”

Amateur and professional artists are being invited to enter their own artworks in a new competition – and chosen entries will be put on display.

Drawings, paintings, prints, sculptures, ceramics or textiles of picturesque Buckler’s Hard on the banks of the Beaulieu River can also nod to its maritime past, as the place where ships were built for Nelson’s fleet at Trafalgar. Entries should be submitted under the themes of ‘Sailing by’, ‘Where time flows differently’ or ‘Step back in history’.

First prize for the Montagu Award is an overnight stay and three-course dinner for two at the Master Builder’s House, which is sponsoring the competition. The runner-up will win a £100 gift card to spend with New Forest Activities, while the artist in third place will receive a family ticket to Beaulieu.

Buckler’s Hard visitors will choose the People’s Award and the winner will be given an annual parking pass to Buckler’s Hard, family ticket to the River Cruise and Buckler’s Hard Museum, plus a £50 voucher to spend in The Captain’s Table.

Lunch in newly opened Henry’s pub in the Master Builder’s House is the prize for the Villagers’ Award, chosen by the people who live and work at Buckler’s Hard.
All artwork must be submitted using the online application form by May 31st. Click here for more details.

Children are also invited to get creative by using the free art materials when they visit the exhibition, then follow on-site details to submit their entry for a chance to win a family ticket to Beaulieu and a ride in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Visits to Buckler’s Hard

Visitors can enter Buckler’s Hard village for free to see the new exhibition, then enjoy free access to the original Shipwright’s Cottage and HMS Agamemnon – Navigating the Legend in the Shipwrights Workshop.

More artworks can be seen around the rest of the village, including St Mary’s Chapel where Belinda, Lady Montagu’s altar frontal features the Tree of Life which represents the New Forest oaks used for shipbuilding at Buckler’s Hard.

With an admission ticket to Buckler’s Hard Museum, discover more about the maritime history of the village and follow residents’ stories in the exhibition of village life.

Buckler’s Hard, in the heart of the New Forest, is accessible by foot, car, motorbike – or boat! A parking charge contributes to the upkeep of the historic village.

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