FLOWING 77 miles from the Grand Union Canal in Warwickshire through Banbury to the centre of Oxford, the Oxford Canal has proved a watery inspiration for many artists.

And now the Oxford Canal Heritage Project is inviting people to submit their own artwork of what they love about the canal.

People have until Sunday, March 23, to send in their pieces.

Artist Katherine Shock, who is on the panel for the competition, said: “The canal is a never-ending source of beautiful images, full of atmosphere, history and nature. It is peaceful and yet full of life.

Oxford Mail:

City by Caroline Maas 

“I love the reflections and the constant gentle movement either as you walk along it or when you stay still and life moves past you.”

There are four categories: children up to 12 years old, young people aged from 13-21, adults aged from 22-63 and adults aged over 63.

Prizes include shoes by Ecco, which is sponsoring the competition, meals and books.

The winners will have their art displayed at an exhibition at the Jam Factory, Oxford, from April 1-27 ahead of Oxfordshire Art Weeks from May 3-26.

Landscape photographer David Willoughby, whose work features in the exhibition, was inspired from a young age by the canal.

Oxford Mail:

Northbrook Ox Canal by Michele Field

He said: “As a landscape photographer, the marriage of manmade materials and the natural flow of the water, gives my work the light and texture I love.”

As part of the exhibition, local historian Mark Davies will give a free talk entitled An Artistic History of the Oxford Canal at the Jam Factory on Sunday, April 25, at 2.30pm.