Cambridgeshire Plein Air Artist of the Year 2026 - Histon Manor

We are thrilled to announce that the second Cambridgeshire Plein Air Artist of the Year Award, will take place on SATURDAY June 13, 2026, sponsored by Cheffins and Modo. It will be hosted in the 11-acre grounds of Histon Manor, Cambridge, following its successful launch at this venue last year with 75 artists attending. This is an amazing event run by wonderful volunteers with 100% of profits going to the CAMBRIDGE ACORN PROJECT , Histon Manor's chosen charity for their 2026 fundraising.

FOR ARTISTS:

We are aiming to have between 70 and 100 professional and amateur artists come and paint for the day. The event is becoming one of Cambridgeshire's key art events, with a focus on fundraising and fun, complimented by a high calibre of art. Set up is  from 9.30am with the competition beginning at 10am. You are welcome to stay as long as you like but if you wish to enter the competition your art work must be finished by 3.30pm that day. There will be both a Professional and an Amateur's category and new for 2026 is a 'Young Artists' category for artists aged between 16 -22. Complete novices are very welcome too.

We have a wonderful judging panel for the competition, but if you don't wish to enter the competition, you are welcome to buy a ticket and just come along and enjoy painting or drawing with like minded people in a beautiful setting.

The entry fee covers participation in the event, access to the grounds and the manor's facilities, and also includes free coffee/tea, cake, and cold drinks throughout the day served inside the Manor's main kitchen, and concludes with a glass of fizz at the end of the day to celebrate everyone's achievements. Artists should bring their own packed lunch (or there are cafes and supermarkets in the village, just two minutes walk away). 

To be eligible for the competition, you must be over 16. For further details and FAQs, please do read through the following links in detail before booking  https://www.histonmanor.com/cambridgeshire-plein-air-artist-of-the-year-award  and https://www.histonmanor.com/cambridgeshire-plein-air-artist-of-the-year-award-faqs

Please note this year we will not be including a concert at the end of the day or viewing by the public, as feedback highlighted that it was a long day for artists. We are looking into hosting an online gallery of this year's 2026 entries, to be put on our website after the event and hope to showcase work to the public this way. The 2026 winners and highly commended entries will be exhibited at Modo Gallery, Cambridge who continue as our co sponsor alongside Cheffins. See Histon Manor Website for more details on Modo.

If the weather is too poor to go ahead we will issue a refund excluding the Booking Fees which have been charged by Ticket Tailor. Please note we will still go ahead if there is rain. Cancellation will only take place if there are high winds or excessive rain. So fingers crossed!