Following a vibrant weekend that brought art out of the gallery and into the public spaces of Torbay, The Great Torre Abbey Paint Out has been hailed a resounding success.

Marking the culminating celebration of the National Gallery’s Art on Your Doorstep initiative, the two days saw hundreds of participants and spectators engage with local heritage and creativity outdoors.

Now, the community is invited to view the stunning results at "Outside In" an exhibition, which is running until Sunday 20 December.

Over the weekend of the 5 and 6 September, thousands of people engaged with the Plein Air Artist Trail. From arriving and departing passengers at Torquay train station, to dog walkers in the grounds of Torre Abbey, to shoppers and harbour users in the town centre, the public was invited to watch ten professional practitioners capture familiar surroundings in real time, bringing Torquay's heritage vividly to life.

On Sunday, the creative energy shifted to the historic grounds of Torre Abbey, which simultaneously hosted a joyous Mass Paint Out and Torbay’s first Plein Air Art Competition. Hundreds attended the open-air festival, soaking up the atmosphere by participating in the mass painting and exploring the live works being made by competitors and other artists across the grounds.

To ensure the community event was accessible to all, 100 free art packs were given away to families and budding creatives. Across the weekend, well over 100 artworks were created, bolstered by additional activities including engaging still life sessions with artist Clare Jenkinson, and immersive land art with JAPPA.

Meanwhile, the inaugural competition challenged creatives to capture the environment against the clock and submit a work completed on the day for judging. With 25 fantastic entries vying for a share of the £750 prize money, our esteemed judges – Torre Abbey’s Senior Exhibitions & Visitor Experience Manager, Luan Taylor; professional plein air artist, Clare Jenkinson; Associate Professor in Art, Media and Spatial Practice at the University of Plymouth, Angela Piccini; and alumnus from the National Gallery's "Articulation" Programme, Ruth Dunn – had an incredibly hard job deliberating. Ultimately, the panel was proud to award the Overall Winner title to Gabrielle Peckham, Silver Winner to Susan Rooney, Bronze Winner to Mark Bell, and the Youth Winner title to Frankie Gaughan.

Serving as the grand finale to the Art on Your Doorstep programme, the Paint Out successfully carried on the ethos of this National Gallery initiative, to bring creativity outdoors, to meet people in their day-to-day lives and make art accessible at the heart of the community.

Councillor Jackie Thomas, Torbay Council’s Cabinet Member for Tourism, Culture and Events, and Corporate Services, said:

"We were delighted by the response to The Great Torre Abbey Paint Out and the enthusiasm shown by everyone who took part. The event demonstrated how art, culture and heritage can bring people together, helping residents and visitors connect with Torbay's historic buildings and landscapes in new and inspiring ways.

"It's fantastic to see the positive impact that events like this can have, inspiring creativity, and celebrating the places that make Torbay such a special place to live and visit. I'd like to thank and congratulate everyone involved in making the Paint Out such a success, from the artists and organisers to the many residents and visitors who took part. I would encourage everyone to visit the Outside In exhibition to experience the outstanding artwork created over the weekend and enjoy the lasting legacy of this wonderful community celebration."

“The response to The Great Torre Abbey Paint Out has been phenomenal,” says Jacob Brandon, Director of Artizan Collective. “It’s been wonderful to bring the second instalment of this event series to Torquay and invite everyone to witness and participate in creativity.”

The public can now view the incredible works produced during the event at "Outside In," an exhibition running from now until Friday 20 December at Torre Abbey. This exhibition documents a shared public response to the town’s landscapes and heritage, drawing together community pieces from the Mass Paint Out, professional works from the Artist Trail, and the outstanding submissions from the plein air competition.

“The Great Torre Abbey Paint Out” and “Outside In” was made possible by the support of funders and partners. Thank you to Torbay Council, the National Gallery, the Friends of Torre Abbey, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and Arts Council England. A special thank you is also extended to event sponsors Great Western Railway, Twigger Business Solutions, and Otto Bar & Restaurant. The Great Torre Abbey Paint Out was proudly produced by Artizan Collective, Torre Abbey, and Torquay Pavilion Creative Engagement Group.