John Downton Awards
The awards
The John Downton Award for Young Artists is an annual exhibition which encourages and celebrates the creativity of Kent's young artists. It is open to students aged 11 to 18 from schools and colleges across Kent.
The award is hosted by us on behalf of the John Downton Trust. The exhibition commemorates the life and work of John Downton, the celebrated Kent artist, poet and philosopher.
The exhibition
An exhibition of shortlisted work is currently showing at County Hall in Maidstone until Wednesday 8 January 2020. Winners were announced at an awards evening on Tuesday 19 November 2019.
Visitors to the exhibition have the chance to vote in the People’s Choice Award. The result will be announced at the beginning of January 2020.
Selected works will then tour to Turner Contemporary in Margate from Friday 7 February until Sunday 22 March 2020.
Trophy competition
The John Downton trophy competition was won by Gracie Grant from Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in Faversham.
Find out more about the winning design.
2019 winners
| Category | 11 to 16 age group winner | 17 to 18 age group winner |
|---|---|---|
| Highly Commended | Anna Webb Weald of Kent Grammar School | Daniel Grace Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School Tianyi Miao Bethany School |
| Bronze | Simran Ranu St John’s Catholic Comprehensive School | Emilia Carter Chatham and Clarendon Grammar School |
| Silver | Hannah Perkins Simon Langton Girls’ Grammar School | Georgia Veni Barton Court Grammar School |
| Gold | Calypso Lee Wye School | William Holloway Hillview School for Girls |
| Painting | Louis Harrison The Langton Grammar School for Boys | Lily Bunton Tonbridge Grammar School |
| Drawing | Wiktoria Boryslawska The Robert Napier School | Hannah Edwards Dover Grammar School for Girls |
| Mixed Media | Phoebe Crocombe The Whitstable School | Tony Longeran St Simon Stock Catholic School |
| Photography | Minty Mills The Archbishop’s School | Tom Poole Maidstone Grammar School |
| Best school | The Robert Napier School Gillingham | |
If you require further information please email johndowntonawards@kent.gov.uk.