Date published: 19 May 2025
Now in its fourth year, the Blunden Prize, in partnership with the Henry Moore Institute, is looking for artists to put forward their ideas for a new art installation at Station Island, a 128-home affordable housing scheme in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire.
The prize invites entries from all disciplines, including interactive or integrated architectural pieces of artwork, sculpture and murals, and offers artists the chance to work with the local community to produce designs that can be displayed at one of Stonewater's developments.
This year’s winner will receive a cash prize of £20,000, a minimum budget of £30,000 for the Station Island commission, as well as two other commissions at Stonewater sites elsewhere in England.
Similarly, two runners up will receive a commission to curate a piece of public art to go on display at a Stonewater development, providing more opportunities for artists throughout the country to showcase their work and provide engaging focal points for local communities.
This year’s theme of ‘Sustainable Art: Shaping Our Shared Spaces’ will highlight the importance of sustainable artwork, aligning with energy-efficiency measures on the Station Island site, which include air source heat pumps and solar panels, as well as Stonewater’s focus on investment in retrofitting existing homes and sustainable construction methods in new developments.
Jonathan Layzell, Chief Growth and Development Officer at Stonewater, said: “This year marks a decade of Stonewater creating homes and communities where people can thrive, and the Blunden Prize is a perfect example of how we continue to evolve that mission.
“Public art plays a powerful role in shaping the identity of new communities, and by focusing on sustainability, we’re also encouraging artists to respond to the environmental challenges we’re facing. We’re excited to see how this year’s entries reflect not just creativity, but collaboration with local people, local history and the future of the places we build.”
Each year, Blunden Prize winners are asked to involve the local community through workshops and engaging initiatives, as well as reflecting the local history or interest of the areas and communities they are displayed within.
Winning pieces have previously included a community garden and oak-tree-inspired seating canopy, trail of carved stone pieces.
Last year’s winning entry, ‘Helix’, an eight-metre-long sculpture with seating space for customers to meet and relax, created by sculptor Jim Bond, was inspired by the industrial history of Coventry, where the work will ultimately be installed.
The competition deadline is midday on Friday 18 July 2025.
