Coastal creatives crowned for marine art competition

The 2025 winners and runners-up for Coastal Creations are revealed.

This summer, we had a tidal wave of spectacular artworks entered into our marine art competition. Running for its third year, Coastal Creations had over 180 participants showcasing the marvels of the Essex coast.

For the first time, we introduced a ’16 and under’ category, where young marine-lovers painted, sketched, sculpted and collaged their favourite underwater scenes and coastal landscapes. The competition was fierce, yet two worthy winners have been selected by artist Dave ‘Gnasher’ Gnash, who recently worked with us to bring the marine world to life in Walton.

The winners and runners-up are as follows:

Category: 16 and under

A young girl holds up winning drawing of seabirds on the beach.

Winner: Willow Blanchard in Copford, with “Little terns with chicks”.

Willow (age 7) researched the different birds that live along our local coastline. She was really drawn to the little terns and wanted to highlight their habitat. She carefully practiced how to draw them and added their chicks and eggs. It was important to her that she had the bird feeding its young. Willow enjoys spotting birds wherever we go like her Nanny.

A young girl holds up a 3D artwork scene of a beach and ocean.

Runner up: Emily Dearsley in Feering, with “Seaside fun”.

The seaside is a beautiful place for humans and wildlife. I have used various items and materials to make my model. I used paints, paper, Lego, stones, sticks, sand, cardboard and some toys. I wanted to show the fun at the seaside like, swimming, sunbathing, surfing, playing in the sand. Also seeing animals who live in the sea and use the beach, such as turtles nesting, sea creatures like dolphins, fish, crabs, urchins that live there. I also wanted to show the dangers like sewage into seas, plastic waste trapping sea creatures and that we need to look after the seas so humans and wildlife can enjoy.

A circular textile collage of sea creatures.

Runner up: Heidi Hampson in Billericay, with “Beneath the glistening waves”.

My art is about the issue of plastic pollution in the oceans. I made it from scrap fabrics to represent the rubbish that gets hidden beneath the waves, harming many types of wildlife. My art wants people to see what they are destroying.

Category: 16 and over

A lady dressed in purple holds her ocean sunset artwork.

Winner: Pearl Macfarlane in Tollesbury, with “Blackwater sunset”.

Walking my dog. I photographed a stunning sunset from the Essex Wildlife Tollesbury Wick, up the estuary towards Maldon. Loved the colours; painted it in lovely bright acrylics.

Runner up: Nicola Hughes in Maldon with “Ringed plover’s nest”.

I was moved by the fact that these birds, that are such a part of our shore in Essex, are really struggling with weather patterns changing and dogs interfering with their nests and young. I am a felt artist based in Maldon and I felt I would like to publicise their fate…

Watercolour beach scene with fishing rods in foreground.

Runner up: Douglas Talbot in Clacton-on-Sea.

Looking towards Bradwell power station from the sand bank in Point Clear Bay gone fishing.

Coastal Creation art competition aims to celebrate our connections with the coast, whether the beach is on your doorstep or somewhere far away. We are overjoyed to see that the marine world inspires so many of you, all across the county.

Alex Smith, Marine and Coastal Engagement Officer, for Essex Wildlife Trust said:

"It's been wonderful to see the amazing and diverse artwork for the Coastal Creations art competition. What really struck me was not only the talent on show, but also how artwork is a brilliant way to showcase our marine life and the threats they face.”