Howbery Business Park is inviting entries for the 2025 ‘Art in the Park’ competition on the theme of ‘Wellbeing in Nature’. Participants are being asked to interpret how the natural world benefits physical or mental health, with prizes on offer for the best 2D artwork in different age categories.
Offering wellbeing opportunities is an important part of Howbery Park’s ethos. It invites the local community, alongside people working on site, to take part in nature-related events or to relax, wander, or exercise in its 70 acres of grounds.
Donna Bowles, Howbery Park Estates Manager, elaborates: “Artists are free to interpret ‘wellbeing in nature’ as they wish, although we would of course particularly love to see artists take inspiration from the Howbery Park grounds. There are a lot of relaxing spaces in our parkland, riverbank, and woodland areas, plus we have wildflower patches and more formal flower beds, which attracts a lot of wildlife. I also often spot people taking part in activities to improve their physical health, such as outdoor yoga, playing volleyball, or paddleboarding.”
First prize in the over-18s category is £500 while two highly commended entries will receive a £250 prize each. Winners in each of two junior categories (ages 4-11, and ages 12-18) will receive a £50 prize each for themselves and £250 for their nominated school or youth group to spend on art supplies.
The deadline for entries is 31 August 2025. Entrants aged 18 and under must create their artwork on a postcard measuring 148 x 105mm, which they can post or hand in. Over-18s’ artwork can be up to A3 in size and must initially be submitted online as a photo. If shortlisted, over-18s artists will be invited to bring in their physical artwork, which will be displayed at an exhibition in the park on 7-10 October. Winners will be announced on 7 October 2025.
Full details, and terms and conditions are on the Howbery park website: www.howberypark.com/art
