Cornish Artist Wins National Award for Nostalgic Seaside Painting

Newquay artist Diane Griffiths has won the People’s Choice Award in the SAA (Supporting All Artists) Artist of the Year 2025 competition for her painting ‘Insert Coin to Begin’.

This marks Diane’s second consecutive national win, following her People’s Choice Award last year for ‘Driving Home’ in The British Art Prize.

📷Insert Coin To Begin

Public vote recognises nostalgic night scene

The award, decided entirely by public vote, celebrates the artwork that most connected with audiences across the UK. Diane’s winning piece captures the glowing lights of seaside amusement arcades at night, evoking fond memories for anyone familiar with the charm of the British coast.

“This award means a great deal to me because it was chosen by the public,” said Diane. “Insert Coin to Begin is all about those shared memories and that universal feeling of being drawn to the games. For it to strike a chord with so many people really means a lot.”

📷Driving Home

Exploring light through art

‘Insert Coin to Begin’ forms part of Diane’s ongoing series ‘The Colour of Night’, which explores how natural and artificial light can transform everyday scenes.

Diane moved to Newquay in 2017 and works part-time as a self-taught artist. She paints on square canvases using a mix of acrylic and oil, focusing on how the beauty of daily life can appear extraordinary when seen through the right lens.

Her paintings, including ‘Insert Coin to Begin’, can be viewed on her website www.handonart.com.

📷Texaco Garage Newquay

About the artist

Diane, originally from the Midlands, describes herself as a multi-award-winning contemporary landscape artist based in Newquay. Her work has been supported by Texaco and Playland Amusements, and she offers original Cornish paintings and gifts through her online gallery.

Follow Diane on Facebook or Instagram for updates and new artwork.

📷Playland Amusements