We are delighted to announce the II Edition of the “Portrait of a Mother” Competition for Polish children and teenagers living in Scotland.
“Portrait of a Mother” – where maternal love meets a child’s artistic sensitivity
In a world where images increasingly replace words, and emotions seek new forms of expression, The Portrait Foundation invites participants to join a remarkable artistic project — the “Portrait of a Mother 2026” competition. This initiative, growing steadily in prestige, brings together art, education, and human relationships in a uniquely subtle and meaningful way.
The competition is an invitation to embark on a special journey into the realm of childhood sensitivity — a space where art meets the deepest emotions, and young creators tell their stories not through words, but through colour, line, and imagination.
The competition is addressed to Polish diaspora children living in the United Kingdom and unfolds in two editions: a Scottish edition, and one encompassing England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. In this way, the project reaches across the entire Polish community abroad, creating a shared space for emerging young talents.
Portrait as a Story
“Portrait of a Mother” transcends the framework of a traditional art competition. It is an invitation to create a personal narrative — a delicate, often intimate story of closeness, care, and everyday life as seen through a child’s eyes.
Participants interpret the theme broadly, creating portraits of their mother, or — in her absence — of a father or another close figure who provides a sense of safety, accompanies them through life’s most important moments, and helps shape the emotional landscape of childhood.
The aim is not a faithful rendering of physical likeness. What matters far more is the capture of emotion, memory, and relationship — that which can only be seen from a child’s perspective. Each artwork becomes a small, personal story of love, closeness, and gratitude. At the heart of the project lies not technical perfection, but authenticity of vision, sensitivity, and the expressive power that gives each piece its unique and deeply personal dimension.
Art and Emotion — the Foundations of Development
The mission of the competition is not only to discover talent, but above all to support children’s emotional development through art. A mother — or the person who fulfills that role — is one of the first and most significant figures in a child’s life. She teaches how to look at the world with curiosity, sensitivity, and courage.
In a world saturated with stimuli and rapid communication, the initiative of The Portrait Foundation reminds us of the value of attentiveness, relationships, and reflection.
The artistic standard of the competition is overseen by a distinguished Jury chaired by Barbara Kaczmarowska-Hamilton, an internationally acclaimed portrait artist and founder of The Portrait Foundation, whose work has long been rooted in the tradition of classical European portraiture.
Rules — A Return to the Essence of Art
The competition embraces simplicity and authenticity of form. Participants create a single artwork in drawing or painting, in A4 format, using exclusively traditional media.
This is a deliberate choice by the organisers — a return to the very origins of art, where gesture, line, and emotion matter more than digital tools.
The deadline for submissions is April 30, 2026, and entries are accepted via the Foundation’s dedicated website: www.fundacjaportretu.com
Discovering Talent
From the submitted works, the Jury will select 120 semi-finalists in each edition, followed by 30 laureates who will be honoured with statuettes and material prizes.
The culmination of the competition will be the awarding of three Grand Prix prizes, symbolically highlighting the exceptional nature of the selected works.
Finals — A Celebration of Art and Community
The Awards Ceremony will take place in Edinburgh, The Edinburgh Academy (Scottish edition) on May 24, 2026.
The exhibitions and award ceremonies will not only present the works but also bring together artistic circles, families, and representatives of cultural and media life. It is a moment when children’s imagination meets adult recognition — and is truly seen.
Prestige and Responsibility
The project is held under the honorary patronage of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, which lends it particular distinction and places it among the most significant cultural initiatives supported by British institutions. This patronage reflects recognition of the values the competition promotes — education through art, the cultivation of sensitivity, and the strengthening of human relationships.
The initiative is further enhanced by the support of Polish diplomatic institutions in the United Kingdom. Honorary patronage has been granted by the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, as well as the Consul General of the Republic of Poland in Edinburgh.
At the same time, the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Edinburgh acts as a co-organiser of the project, underlining its importance as an initiative that integrates Polish diaspora communities and builds bridges between Polish culture and the British social landscape.
Art That Endures
In an age of image overproduction and instant visual communication, “Portrait of a Mother” offers something radically different — a return to attentiveness.
A child’s line — sincere and free from calculation — carries an extraordinary power. The resulting works are not only artistic creations, but also records of emotion, relationships, and a way of seeing the world that evolves over time.
“Portrait of a Mother” restores to the image its original meaning — as a vessel of memory and feeling.
It is not merely a competition. It is a celebration of childhood imagination, love, and gratitude — preserved through art, perhaps forever.
And it is precisely in this simplicity that its true strength resides.
British Poles is the media patron of the event.
WHERE: The Edinburgh Academy, 48 Henderson Row, Edinburgh EH3 5BL
WHEN: Sunday, 24 May 2026
MORE INFO: here
