Art contest exhibition winners announced

Covid-19 has changed the way all of us do things - and for us that means we have had to move the annual Art Competition Exhibition online!

The winner of the 2021 Art Competition Exhibition, winning £300, was Max McCleave from St Mungo's. His painting, 'Buses', was of a rainy London street.

The second place getter was a mixed media piece by Sean Griffin from 240 Project. Sean won £200 for his colourful picture entitled 'Street life'.

The third place was awarded to Wayne Coleman from Crisis. Wayne won £100 for his acrylic painting called 'Taking the dog for a walk'.

The project was funded by the National Lottery Community Fund grant so that Geraldine Crimmins, who was also a past photographer and vendor and co-organiser of the last Art Competition Exhibition (ACE). could also run a mentoring art mentoring at the same time during the pandemic.

Geraldine said: "I am delighted to see the high stand of entries to the Cafe Art 3rd art

competition. We are committed to supporting our members to use art as a means of

expression and a tool to enhance their lives. A big shout out to the judges, St Mungo's, 240 Project, Crisis and Thames Reach hostels and Hampstead School of Art!"

The judges were: Isabel Langtry (Principal of Hampstead School of Art), Jimmy Lek (Founder of Art Gemini Prize and PhotoX) and Jane Oakley (New Pictures Specialist, Sworders Fine Auction House).

Geraldine, who is a trained counsellor who has experienced homelessness, has been successful in connecting with many people who are still homeless or have recently been homeless. She connects with people who might not be being helped by other homelessness support services. The grant helped clients retain connections with the wider community via phone or the internet as the grant covers people's phone top ups to ensure that.

Cafe Art decided not to take a penny in administration fees from this grant - spending money saved on helping more people affected by homelessness directly, including buying art packs for more homeless artists.

Geraldine connected with many vulnerable artists, not only speaking to them regularly, but helping them with their art by providing art packs. The 2021 online art contest exhibition attracted more than 40 entries. Prize money of £20 each will be paid to the to remaining 37 artists from the grant money.

Here are the rest of the top 20 winning pictures (in no particular order)

33. It's All Downhill From Here A3 Collage (Rene Robins, 240 Project)

74. Music 29.7 x 21, pen & ink (Georgina Brett, 240 Project)

28. Justice for Grenfell - Survivor being consoled 36cm X 100cm; oil on canvas (Aaron J Little, 240 Project)

53. Between a Rock and an Art place - The Artist Within Acrylic on canvas. The paintings are a trio. (Thomas Bradford, Thames Reach)

30.Free Range A3; Ink, acrylic and fabric (Mary Vallely, 240 Project)

27. How much Longer? Whitehall opposite Downing Street 120cm X 90 cm; Oil (Aaron J Little, 240 Project)

56. Something, Somewhere 30 x 20inch, Acrylic, Oil & Wax - mixed media (JP DeSouza)

4. Stillness 31cm x 41cm, arcylic paint (Karina, One Housing)

37. You Can't Get The Staff A2, Felt Pen (Sean Griffin, 240 Project)

31. After The Party A3 ink & acrylic (David Bastin, 240 Project)

12. The Kids 42 x 29.7, graphite pencil on paper (Wayne Coleman, Crisis)

55. Untitled 94 by 90 cms, mixed media (Mateus)

68. Spring will come again 15 x 15 cm, watercolour, ink and acrylic (Cei Ling)

54. Together Again 77 by 61 cms, mixed media (Mateus)

9. Wilting Sunflowers 30 cm X 42 cm acrylic on canvas (Bhavit)

6. The Merchant of Venice and his Swag Bag 100cm x 100cm,acrylic paint, watercolour and oil pastel (Hilal Kadouri, St Mungo's Westminster Mental Health Pathway)

67. Gentrification Battersea Power Station, 14.8 x 21 cm, watercolour, ink and crayon (Cei Ling)