32nd Annual Painting Exhibition 2021 Winners

32nd Annual Painting Competition - Europa Flats

The Gibraltar Heritage Trust saw the opening exhibition of the 32nd Annual Painting Competition  and prize-giving ceremony on Wednesday 2nd June at 18:00pm in John Mackintosh Hall, and are pleased to announce the winners of each category. The event was attended by Davina Barbara who represented Gibraltar Cultural Services, Trustees, Minister for Environment, Sustainability, Climate Change, Heritage and Culture, The Hon. John Cortes, and of course, participants and winners of the competition. Our panel of judges, Karl Ullger, Gino Sanguinetti and Giorann Henshaw were also in attendance after deliberating the winning entries earlier that day.

Vice Chairman Charlie Lugaro welcomed our guests and officially opened our exhibition. Minister Cortes thanked our guests who attended and the Trust for our continued efforts in highlighting our protected heritage and its link with nature through means of artistic expression. Additionally, the Minister kindly requested that the event be dedicated to the late Lionel Culatto, one of the founding members of the Gibraltar Conservation Society which worked to preserve Gibraltar's Architectural heritage, and who was depicted in John Langdon's entry of the Europa Flats area. 

Minister Cortes viewing the entries on display with Vice Chairman, Charlie Lugaro.

Entry by John Langdon depicting Lionel Culatto who attended the event.

We saw a great turnout of entries and attendees to both the competition and exhibition, and as with every year, the judges commented on the high level of art on display. Judging took place anonymously and the entries were deliberated by 1st, 2nd and 3rd winners from each category; Infants (Aged 6 & under), Children (Aged between 7 & 10), Juniors (Aged 11 & 17) and Adults (18 & over).  Due to the high level of talent, the judges included a number of highly commended paintings to be awarded. 

The winners and those who came highly commended are announced below: 

Our First Prize in the Adult section was sponsored by Gibraltar Cultural Services with a generous donation of £1000 to this year's winner Sebastian Rodriguez. The Gibraltar Heritage Trust is grateful for the continued collaboration and support of the Gibraltar Cultural Services in promoting Gibraltar's Heritage. 

First Prize Winner in the Adult Section Sebastian Rodriguez with GCS representative Davina Barbara.

The winning entry depicts a view of The Mosque from Europa Road.

The David Gladstone Prize for most promising artist 2021 was awarded to 17-year old Matthew Bosano. 

Minister John Cortes with Matthew Bosano, this year's David Gladstone Prize winner for most promising artist and 1st Prize winner in the Junior Section.

The winning entry depicts a view of the Lighthouse and its cottage.

The Annual Painting Competition is one of the Trust's most popular events in our local calendar, therefore we hope, with your support, that we can continue to hold these competitions in years to come and to invite enthusiatic and aspiring artists to explore their artistic potential and immerse themselves in the heritage which surrounds us.