The Gibraltar Heritage Trust’s 37th Annual Painting Competition was held last Saturday 9th May at the WWII Tunnels within the Gibraltar Nature Reserve. Every year, the competition throws up challenges. This time it was the damp and wet conditions and variable lighting on-site, but the artists rose to the challenge with resilience and creativity with some beautiful pieces created. The Trust extends a huge congratulations to all entrants for producing such compelling works.

Artists have responded with a wide range of interpretations, from capturing the atmosphere on-site to more contemporary reflections on conflict and memory. The Trust notes that this year’s submissions have once again demonstrated exceptional imagination and talent on the Rock. 

All participants are warmly invited to attend the opening of the 37th Annual Painting Competition Exhibition at the GEMA Art Gallery on Thursday 21st May 2026 at 6:30pm. A panel of invited judges will review the works ahead of the official opening, where the winners of the 37th Annual Painting Competition will formally be announced. After this the exhibition will be open to the public until the 12th June.

The opening hours for the GEMA Art Gallery are:

Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 11am to 3pm

Tuesday and Thursday: 11am to 6pm

Closed weekends EXCEPT Saturday 30th May.

The exhibition will run until Friday 12th June, giving the local and wider community ample opportunity to explore the artworks. 

For further information, please contact the Gibraltar Heritage Trust, visit our website (www.gibraltarheritagetrust.org.gi) or visit our store at The Main Guard, 13 John Mackintosh Square. 

Published: 13th May 2026