Knutsford was transformed into a celebration of art, culture and creativity on Sunday 16th August as artists from across the area took to the streets for Paint Knutsford 2026.
The event saw the town centre filled with over 40 artists capturing Knutsford’s streets, buildings and surroundings on canvas, paper and even vinyl records, creating a fantastic atmosphere for both artists and visitors. It was an amazing day, enjoyed by people of all ages and a wonderful opportunity to experience the town through the eyes of the artists taking part.
After a day of painting, the final competition took place at Knutsford Market Hall, where the artwork was brought together for judging. The judging panel included Laura Blansky from Clarendon Gallery, Anna Bates Patel from the Tabley House Collection and local artist Kay Davenport.
The standard of artwork was incredibly high, making it a very difficult decision for the judges. A huge congratulations goes to Amanda Mulquiney, who was named the overall winner of Paint Knutsford 2026, with John Mills awarded runner-up. Both artists produced fantastic work, and their awards were very well deserved.
The event also offered plenty of opportunities for people to get involved with art themselves. A life art class was held at Wallwood, giving participants the chance to explore life drawing and painting, while a children’s art area on The Moor encouraged younger visitors to get creative and have a go at making their own artwork.
Running alongside Paint Knutsford was Knutsford Alfresco Dining, with an amazing 14 local businesses taking part and bringing outdoor dining to the town throughout the day. This added to the fantastic atmosphere across Knutsford, with visitors able to relax, enjoy the sunshine and soak up the artwork and activities taking place.
The combination of Paint Knutsford and Alfresco Dining meant Knutsford was full of art, culture, fun and festivities, creating an amazing day for residents, visitors, artists and local businesses.
Paint Knutsford was made possible thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and partners: Tatton Perk, King Street Dental and the Tabley House Care Home.
Mark Lee-Kilgariff from main sponsor, Tatton Perk, said, “What a wonderful day celebrating art, creativity, and the amazing talent that Paint Knutsford brings together. It’s fantastic to see the town come alive through the artists’ work and to be part of such a brilliant community event. Our sponsorship of Paint Knutsford is part of Tatton Perk’s wider support for artists across Cheshire. Alongside supporting events like this, we’re proud to host regular pop-up gallery evenings and a curated gallery wall at our Chelford coffee shop and bar. It’s wonderful to be able to provide opportunities for local artists to showcase their work and connect with the community.”
Caroline Haynes, Events Manager at Knutsford Town Council, said, “Paint Knutsford was an amazing day, and it was fantastic to see the town filled with artists, residents and visitors enjoying everything the event had to offer. We would like to say a huge thank you to all of the artists, volunteers, judges, sponsors and local businesses who helped make the event such a success, and congratulations to all the artists for taking part.” The event showcased the creativity and character of Knutsford while bringing people together to enjoy art, culture, food and entertainment. It was a fantastic celebration of the town and a wonderful event for everyone involved.