Competition: New Visions for Castles
The Corncrake Magazine, in partnership with Witan 2025, invites artistic submissions for a competition on the theme of ‘New Visions for Castles’. We want to see artists engaging with the exciting challenge of bringing Britain’s heritage into our nation’s future with particular reference to castles. Imagine what our towers, keeps and bastions could be today! Envision how their exciting architecture, decoration, legends, landscapes, and symbology can forge a new destiny! The limits are only what you make them, so be bold and creative!
The winner will receive a free ticket to the Witan 2025, with an opportunity to speak at a forum and have their work featured in a future publication (details below).
Rules
- An original work of art in any medium (ie paint, charcoal, sculpture, digital etc) related to the subject of the competition. Applicants are welcome to submit any original work of art, including if it has been displayed or printed before, providing you have the rights to its being printed and used in promotional material related to the competition.
- Artists can submit more than one artwork. Each artwork submitted counts as a distinct entry.
- The artist must not use AI in any way, shape or form for the composition of their artwork.
- The artist must have the rights for the artwork to be printed and used in promotional material related to the competition. However, artworks that have been displayed or printed before are permitted.
- The deadline for submission is 31st July 2025 at 10pm BST. Any entries submitted after this time will not be considered for the prize.
- The judges will pick out the strongest combination of aspiration and craftsmanship.
- Please email your art to teamcorncrake@gmail.com with: your name, your artwork in a high resolution format, its title, any interpretation of your art you wish to include, and your availability for attending the Witan 2025.
- The winner will be invited to participate in a panel on the theme of ‘New Visions for Castles’, delivering a 5 - 10 minute talk on their prize winning artwork and their visions for Britain’s strongholds.
Eso
Link to Witan information
Further Information
The Witan is an annual conference that has been hosted by Scyldings since 2020. Inspired by the Anglo-Saxon councils of old, the brightest minds gather to discuss the solutions to the ills of our time. The winner of the competition will receive a single ticket for the event, including accommodation, meals and entry to the talks during the conference.
Following the Witan, a special edition magazine produced by the Corncrake will be published. Its theme will be castles. The winning submission will be highlighted as the cover art for the magazine. The publication will also include transcripts from the panel at the Witan, stories involving castles, and artwork old and new on the subject of castles. Additionally, we welcome artists, including those who cannot attend the Witan, to submit artworks on the theme of castles as they will be considered for inclusion in the magazine.
Harlech Castle, Wales, by Henry Gastineau
Image taken from page 313 of 'John Standish; or, the Harrowing of London'