🎨 What Is Dame Laura Knight Painting? A Half-Term Colouring Competition at Staithes Museum
- Staithes Museum
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
This May half-term, Staithes Museum invites young visitors to step into the shoes of one of Britain’s most celebrated artists with our Dame Laura Knight Colouring Competition. It's a chance for children to engage with local history, unleash their creativity, and imagine what Dame Laura Knight might be painting on her canvas.
🎨 Who Was Dame Laura Knight?
Dame Laura Knight (1877–1970) was a pioneering British artist renowned for her vivid depictions of everyday life. In 1894, she visited Staithes, a picturesque fishing village on the North Yorkshire coast, and was captivated by its charm. Alongside her husband, fellow artist Harold Knight, she became part of the Staithes Group—an artists' colony inspired by French Impressionism that painted en plein air to capture the natural light and life of the village .
During her time in Staithes, Laura focused on portraying the lives of the local fishing community. She often painted local children, who would sit for her in exchange for a few pennies, allowing her to hone her figure painting skills . These early works laid the foundation for a career that would see her become the first woman elected to full membership of the Royal Academy in 1936 .
🖌️ About the Competition
Children visiting Staithes Museum during the half-term are invited to participate in our colouring competition:
What to do: Colour in a provided portrait of Dame Laura Knight and draw your own artwork on the blank canvas within the image.
How to enter: Submit your finished piece to the museum front desk before 4 PM on June 5th.
Who can enter: All children visiting Staithes Museum during the half-term.
Prize: The winner, chosen by Al Milnes, artist and owner of Staithes Gallery, will receive a small art-themed prize and have their artwork displayed in the museum (or on social media, with permission).
This activity encourages children to learn about Dame Laura Knight's legacy and express their creativity by imagining what she might be painting.
If you would like to print and colour at home, you can find a link here:
🗣️ We Value Your Feedback
To help us improve future activities, we welcome casual feedback from participants and their families. Feel free to share your thoughts by:
Speaking with our staff or volunteers.
Leaving a comment on the back of the sheet when you submit it
Your insights help us create engaging and educational experiences for all our visitors.
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