Louisa Waterford Prize
The Louisa Waterford Prize was founded by The Tin Shed in 2022 to celebrate the strengths of artists, makers and designers today and pay tribute to the legacy of Louisa Beresford (nee Stuart), Marchioness of Waterford.
Louisa was an accomplished artist and philanthropist, often described as a woman ahead of her time. Part of Louisa's philanthropic work included encouraging artisans to make a living from their skills. It's an ethos we share at The Tin Shed in supporting artists and makers who join our events and studios.
The Prize is a biennial event and details for 2026 will be announced later this year.
About Louisa
Born Lady Louisa Stuart, she became Marchioness of Waterford after marrying Henry Beresford, Lord Waterford (his mother was a Delaval).
She moved from his family seat in Ireland to Ford Castle in Northumberland following his death in the mid-1800's.
Already an accomplished amateur artist Louisa was well-known in London's elite artistic circles. She was tutored by art critic and author John Ruskin and they became good friends for about 40 years until her death.
Louisa is also known for her philanthropic work. She and her husband built hundreds of new houses and a school for the estate workers in Ireland, as well as setting up sustainable craft industries to provide employment.
Although still grieving when she arrived at Ford, she re-designed and improved living conditions on the estate and built a new school. That building is now Lady Waterford Hall. She also improved living conditions for the mining communities near her husband's family home at Seaton Delaval in Northumberland and was instrumental in setting up a women's mission and fundraising following a pit disaster that killed over two hundred men and boys.
Today Ford's well-preserved buildings and the biblical scenes she spent 22 years painting stand as her legacy.
Although Louisa and her work isn't as well-known as her male counterparts, the murals remain unparalleled by any other woman artist of Louisa’s generation across Europe.
Louisa Waterford Prize 2024 Winner
Richard O'Connor
"St Cuthbert's Way to Wooler"
Plein-air artist Richard O'Connor is the winner of the 2024 Louisa Waterford Prize. He was also awarded the People's Choice prize after winning the visitors' votes. Richard, a self-taught artist is originally from Consett in County Durham and now lives in the Scottish Borders. His inspiration for this winning piece "St Cuthbert's Way to Wooler" was inspired by summer family walks along this beautiful, well-trodden path not far from his home.
The judges also had a long list of commendations but narrowed them down to three for special mention
Tom Paterson for "Reflections in the Flood"; Pamela Ormston for "Coffee and Carrier Bags" and Sarah Morpeth for "In the Hedgerow".
Pamela Ormston
Coffee and Carrier Bags (commended)
Sarah Morpeth
In the Hedgerow (commended)
Tom Paterson
Reflection in the Floods (commended)
Lady Waterford Hall
Doorway of the old forge at Ford Village
Open Call to Artists and Makers
If you're an artist or maker and would like to find out more about joining The Tin Shed or taking part in any of our events, please email info@thetinshed.co.uk
Please include bit about yourself and send a couple of images of your work or a link to it.