Month of Art 2026

A special exhibition of submissions to the Month of Art 2026 provided a fitting finale to Hopton Hall’s July opening, with professional landscape painter, Roger Allen crowned as this year’s winner.

The summer event attracted visitors from across Derbyshire, the wider East Midlands and Yorkshire seeking to spend time in Hopton Hall’s Walled Rose Garden, learn about the Hall’s fascinating history and engage with local artists – whether it be watching them paint in the gardens or purchase their artwork.

Some 400 professional and amateur artists took up the opportunity of complimentary access to the grounds, many of whom went on to submit entries to the Month of Art competition. There was also ample opportunity for artists, art societies,clubs and community groups  to showcase their work by booking one of 32 custom-built cabins, offered to them free of charge as mini studios where they could paint, run demos and workshops, and showcase and sell their art and art products.

The Month of Art winner was decided by public vote, with Roger Allen awarded the first place prize of £1,000 for his oil painting, ‘The Picnic Party, Hopton Hall’. A professional artist and member of Peak District Artisans, Roger works mainly in watercolour and has exhibited at galleries throughout the Midlands and London, including the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition and Royal Watercolour Society. His oil painting captures the tranquillity of the Hopton Hall Estate.

Commenting on the creative process, Roger said:

“Whilst exhibiting at Hopton Hall’s 2025 Month of Art I was taken by the grandeur of this large lime tree and completed a detailed drawing of it which became the basis of the 2026 painting. I normally work in watercolour but decided that oil would be a better medium for this piece. I spent six days, spread over three weeks, working in the grounds (in fairly torrid temperatures) whilst continuing in the studio in between visits. The greatest challenges were the constantly changing shadows and judging colour values and tones in the brilliant sunlight whilst juggling a palette, brushes and protective umbrella with only two hands!”

Second place was awarded to Marie South for her ‘July Leaves’, an eco print on Somerset satin paper, and third place to Colin Halliday for his ‘Hopton Hall Gardens’ oil on canvas which captured the flowers adorning Hopton’s famous Crinkle Crankle Wall.  

Hopton Hall owner and custodian Chris Harvey said:

“It’s a total privilege to open our home to so many visitors. Hopton is a place which sparks the most wonderful creativity, and we hope those visitors who may never have considered picking up a pencil, paintbrush, embroidery needle or any other artistic tool are encouraged to do so by the time they leave! Each piece submitted to this year’s Month of Art competition brought something unique, and everyone who took the time to visit and vote have not only helped to recognise artists’ work but continue to make the Month of Art, now in its fourth year, a truly community-led competition. We’re already looking forward to seeing what next year’s event will bring! In the meantime, I’d like to extend my warmest congratulations once again to our very deserving Month of Art 2026 winner, Roger and runners-up Marie and Colin.”