The Royal Society of Marine Artists, National Historic Ships Register and Wapping Group of Artists have teamed up to host this competition to celebrate marine art, and our historic vessels.

Historic vessels can be found in ports, harbours and inland waterways within the UK. There are some 2000 vessels on the National Historic Ships Register which can be found here

The competition is for a work recording the artist’s engagement with one of these historic vessels. Artists are encouraged to visit a site in person to sketch, paint, photograph, talk to those at work and absorb the significance of the particular vessel. The judges will be looking for some indication that you have done this.

Prizes and judges

There is a first prize of £1,000, plus a number of excellent prizes.
Entries will be judged by Hannah Cunliffe of National Historic Ships.
John Scott Martin and David Curtis of the Royal Society of Marine Artists.
John Killens of the Wapping Group of Artists and Tony Meacham A Level art and design examiner.

Key dates:

Open For Entry: 3 June 2024 – Enter here: rsma.oess1.uk
Entry Deadline: 20 September 2024, Midnight.
Selection Notification: Log in to rsma.oess1.uk from 12 noon on Friday 4th October 2024. Prize winners will be notified after this date.

The entry fee is £10 for each entered. This will be collected online when you make your entry.
Junior category for young artists aged between 11 to 16. The entry fee is £5 for each work entered.

 

Afloat or Ashore Competition from OESS on Vimeo.

 

We would like to thank members of the Wapping Group of Artists who are seen painting at Heybridge Marina.
Artists, in order of appearance:
Geoff Hunt
Chris Burnett
Karl Terry
Roger Dellar
John Killens
Keith Morton

Music: Rain or shine by Damon Greene