- Part of Southend City Day on Saturday, 7 March 2026
- Open to Southend students in Years 7–11
- Live portrait competition at The Royals Shopping Centre
- One winner per year group
- £300 in prizes per winner (£50 voucher + £250 for school art department)
Southend City Day returns on Saturday, 7 March 2026, and as part of this year’s celebrations, Southend-on-Sea City Council is inviting budding young artists to take part in the exciting City Day Secondary Schools Portrait Competition at The Royals Shopping Centre.
The creative contest is open to students in Years 7 to 11 from Southend schools and colleges.
Prizes
There will be one lucky winner per year group on the day. They will each receive:
- £50 Lawrence Matthews voucher
- £250 for their school or college’s art department
What to expect on the day
Five students from each year group will step up to their easels and take part in a live, one-hour portrait challenge, working in a semicircle around a sitter in front of an audience. Participants may use the provided materials or bring their own, but this is a drawing and painting competition only.
How to enter
To enter, we’ll need to see your best work! Entrants must submit a portrait created within the last 12 months of any subject.
Entries must be made by schools or colleges and include:
- A clear image of the artwork
- The student’s year group
- Contact details for the designated teacher
Submissions should be emailed to Simon La Roche (SimonLaRoche@southend.gov.uk) by end of day Friday, 27 February.
Entries will be judged by the Council in partnership with local artist Andy Downes. Selected young artists will be notified by Tuesday, 3 March and must bring their submitted artwork with them on the day.
Why Take Part?
Southend City Day celebrates the creativity, diversity and pride that make Southend extraordinary. The portrait competition is the perfect stage for young artists to shine, grow in confidence and be part of a major city-wide celebration.
Cllr Matt Dent, cabinet member for Business, Culture, Music and Tourism, said:
“Southend City Day is a fantastic opportunity for young artists to get involved and showcase their creativity. The portrait competition is a great platform for them to shine, and I can’t wait to see what students across the city produce. It promises to be a wonderful day of community pride and celebration.”
If you’re a teacher, please encourage your students to step forward, pick up their brushes, and show the city what they can create!
Find out more about City Day and how you can take part visit the website.
For media enquiries about this release, please contact media@southend.gov.uk