Public voting has crowned this year’s People’s Choice Award winner as Liverpool Art Fair enters its final days. Organisers say the event has been the biggest in its history, showcasing 245 local artists.
For over a decade, the Liverpool Art Fair has provided a unique platform for local artists, seeking to make original artwork more accessible to the public while helping creators gain professional recognition. As the event marks the end of its 2026 exhibition at the Royal Liver Building, organizers have announced the winner of the People's Choice Award following several weeks of public voting. Charmaine Chaudry has been named the winner of the 2026 award, with two other artists recognized as runners-up.
Each will receive a prize package intended to support the next stages of their artistic careers. For many, the fair serves as a critical first step toward professional development. According to Lucy Byrne, founder of the Liverpool Art Fair, the event showcases a massive amount of regional talent that often lacks opportunities for large-scale public display. “Every year we have artists who have never sold work before, some who have never shown work before, and we are able to give them their first step on that ladder towards becoming a professional artist,” Byrne stated.
The fair attracts a diverse range of contributors, from seasoned professionals to emerging creators. The exhibition space is open to artists living within a 35-mile radius of the city, ensuring that the local creative community remains the focus. The event has become a significant fixture in the region, with the 2026 edition featuring work from more than 245 local artists. For award winner Charmaine Chaudry, the recognition provided by the public vote was particularly meaningful. “It’s one thing having your work seen by judges or competitions and exhibitions, but I think it’s kind of the coolest thing for people to vote for your paintings,” Chaudry remarked.
She noted that her own artistic practice is heavily influenced by her personal experiences, often drawing inspiration from reference images, specific color palettes, and her own imagination. Her winning piece, titled “Riverside,” was inspired by a scene in Paris and was designed to capture the atmosphere and movement of people within a city. The 2026 Liverpool Art Fair, which organizers describe as the largest in the event’s history, closes on July 26.
