John Downton Awards
2025/26 John Downton Awards
We are proud to celebrate the 25th anniversary in this final year of the John Downton Awards.
Watch our video of the award ceremony, held on 11 February 2026 at County Hall in Maidstone:
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John Downton Awards and exhibition 2025/26 - video transcript
View the shortlisted artwork in our online gallery on the Canva website:
Winners
Best school winner
Winner: Barton Court Grammar School
Category winners
| Category | 11 to 16 age group winner | 17 to 18 age group winner |
|---|---|---|
Highly Commended | Hoi Chun Ng | Elsa Busuttil |
Bronze | Nulam Rai | Emma Hansen |
Silver | James Jackson | Joe Brighton |
Gold | Pasindi Pathiraja | Aisling Atife |
Drawing | India Coles | Dante Piemontese Sherwood |
Painting | Pearl Heckley | Alba Soetaert |
Mixed Media | Virtue Anthony-David | Edie-May Monk-Jones |
Photography | Cyrus Li Lipka | Sam Hurst |
Another award, The People's Choice Award, was voted for by attendees of the award ceremony. The winner was Felix Yates for his acetate drawing titled ‘sleeping’.
We're thrilled to have received more entries than ever before, 453 entries from 36 schools, including 6 schools for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
We would like to extend a special thank you to the judging panel:
- Clarrie Wallis, Director of Turner Contemporary - Judge
- Oriana Unjai, Fine Artist and Art Facilitator - Judge
- Crystal Evans, Multidisciplinary Artist and Poet - Judge
- Nicole Mollett, Freelance Artist, Curator and Writer - Shortlister.
About the awards
The John Downton Awards for Young Artists is an annual exhibition to commemorate the life and work of John Downton, the renowned Kent artist, poet and philosopher, by celebrating the creativity and diversity of Kent's young artists.
The awards are for students aged 11 to 18 years from all schools and colleges, including SEND schools, across Kent.
Entries are divided into 4 categories:
- painting
- drawing
- photography
- mixed media.
They are judged in 2 age groups:
- 11 to 16 years
- 17 to 18 years.
The awards are hosted by us on behalf of the John Downton Trust.
Email johndowntonawards@kent.gov.uk for more information.