Cornwall artist Diane Griffiths has won her second major art award with a painting capturing the bright, chaotic charm of a seaside amusement arcade.
Her latest work, Insert Coin To Begin, depicts Playland Amusements in Newquay at night, with neon lights reflecting off wet pavements beneath a starry blue sky. The piece earned the People’s Choice Award at the Supporting All Artists (SAA) Artists of the Year 2025 event, following her 2024 win for Driving Home, a moody night-time painting of a petrol station.
Ms Griffiths said the recognition was “outstanding” and a “validation that what I’m doing is good, and people like it, and I’m going in the right direction”. The judges praised the work for its “playful chaos” and described it as “a celebration of tacky brilliance, small thrills, satisfying comfort food and the holiday nostalgia of an evening wandering through a seaside town”.
The award was determined by public vote, reflecting strong local support for the artist and her vivid portrayal of familiar Cornish nightscapes. Ms Griffiths said: “I don’t have words, it’s absolutely amazing to do it a second year and have another award, it’s outstanding. It’s great to have so much support, local support as well, so thank you to everyone who voted.”
Her approach continues to highlight the appeal of everyday scenes at night, turning ordinary streets and leisure spots into evocative, luminous works of art.
