Westbury MK Open Young Artist PRIMARY YEARS 2025

The Young Artist Competition and exhibition for the Milton Keynes Primary Schools opened on the 17th May and was a great sucess! 9 Schools partciplated, 89 students entered and over 200 visitors came to see the students work. It was wonderful to see so many happy and excited faces in the Barn Gallery over the weekend.

The overall winner was Year 3 student Ruby Pecorini who attends Brooklands Farm School. Her winning picture was a collage titled ’Surreal Sunset’, and not only won 1st place in her year group category, but best overall too.

1st Place Years 1-3 Ruby Pecorini, Brooklands Farm School, ’Surreal Sunset’.

2nd Place Years 1-3 Megha Abinayan, Broughton Manor Prep Schooll. Frida Kahlo'.

3rd Place Years 1-3 Amelia Makarewicz, Loughton School. ’My Picasso Portrait'.

1st Place Years 4-6 Riaan Vora, Milton Keynes Prep School. ’Woodland Path'.

2nd Place Years 4-6 Emily Slade Bradwell Village School. ’Still Life'.

3rd Place Years 4-6 Onyinyeomachi Iwauagwu Broughton Manor Prep School. ’Mrs Wise - My art teacher'.

Highly Commended Year 5, Environmental Studies group, Broughton Manor Prep School, 'British Garden Birds'.

We were delighted that the Mayor of Milton Keynes, Councillor James Lancaster was among the guests who attended, along with Councillor David Tunney who represents Shenley Church End.

 We also welcomed representatives from Milton Keynes Community which had contributed towards the costs of the competition.

We are grateful for the time and dedication of the teachers in local schools who supported their students to create the brilliant array of artwork.

Express interest in the 2026 competition

A special thanks to the judges, local artists, Sarah Watts, Mallory Henson and Nick Kennedy, to Joe Little, Trustees of Westbury Arts Centre, and to the Westbury family for their support and time in helping with the curation and hanging of all artworks.

The proud and excited faces of the young students when they saw their artwork up in the gallery said it all: this is such a lovely event to hold for our local community and the feedback has been so positive. It’s so important for art to be encouraged and celebrated, and this will stay in their minds and hearts for a long time.

The MK Open Young Artist event for Secondary schools will be held in the Barn Gallery on the 4th October, so watch this space.