New Forest artist Sandy Poynter named Public’s favourite

Sandy Poynter (right) with her People’s Prize
winning painting and New Forest Centre
manager Hilary Marshall.

A Brockenhurst-based artist Sandy Poynter has scooped a prize for her painting after record numbers of visitors saw the New Forest Open Art exhibition.

Over 14,000 people attended the exhibition at the New Forest Centre in Lyndhurst this summer, viewing dozens of pieces of art inspired by the wildlife, landscape and traditions of the New Forest.

More than 800 votes were cast by visitors to the annual exhibition, and Sandy Poynter’s painting was the clear winner, earning her a £100 prize.

The exhibition and associated competition were run by the New Forest National Park Authority and the New Forest Centre, and were sponsored by ExxonMobil at the Fawley Refinery.

Sandy said: ‘I’m thrilled to have won the People’s Prize in this year’s New Forest Open Art exhibition at the New Forest Centre. I’ve always had a passion for horses and I’m delighted that so many people have recognised and shared that passion with me through my painting.’

John Pemberton, New Forest National Park Authority member and trustee of the New Forest Centre, said: ‘It is easy to see why Sandy’s painting received the most votes from visitors to this summer’s Open Art exhibition. I congratulate her for triumphing over so many other accomplished artists, all of whom take their inspiration from the special qualities of the New Forest.’

If you’d like to see more of Sandy’s award-winning art, you can view her gallery on www.equestrianartists.co.uk.

View a video of the preview evening and an online photo gallery of this year’s entries at www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/openart2015.