
Artist
Allison McSparron-Edwards
Born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1955, with Irish, Scottish, and Yorkshire roots, I've lived across the UK and Canada before settling by the sea in Paignton, Devon. After a 40-year corporate career as a Chartered Accountant and Business Psychologist—mainly in the creative industries—I followed a lifelong dream to become a full-time artist in 2020. My work is inspired by travels to remote parts of the world, where I’ve absorbed diverse cultures, colours, and artistic traditions. I began with acrylics and watercolours, but in 2014 transitioned to oil painting, studying under acclaimed artists such as Martin Kinnear RCA, Cesar Santos, and Teresa Oaxaca. My practice blends modern realism with expressive abstraction, often exploring our relationship with nature and each other. Living among the wild coastlines of Antrim, the Cotswolds' rolling hills, and Devon’s dramatic seascapes has deeply shaped my work. These landscapes and the people within them inspire paintings rich in emotion, colour, and meaning. I’m especially drawn to the human form and how it interacts with the environment. I continue to evolve as an artist, always learning, always exploring.
English Riviera Winter Open 2025

Exhibition Record
English Riviera Winter Open 2025
A Celebration of Creativity and Innovation We are delighted to announce the return of our annual English Riviera Winter Open Exhibition, ushering in a new year with a vibrant celebration of contemporary art. This much-anticipated event invites both familiar and emerging artists to share their work in an eclectic showcase, promising audiences a rich tapestry of creative expression. As always, our exhibition is shaped by the core values that define our programme: •Diversity and Variety: We embrace a broad spectrum of artistic practice, traditional and contemporary alike, to curate an exhibition teeming with distinctive media, themes, and styles. •Originality and Innovation: While we honour tradition, we also seek works that challenge boundaries and captivates imagination. Here, audiences will discover pieces that cannot be found elsewhere, ensuring a truly unique experience. •Quality and Talent: Each work is selected for its exceptional merit, offering visitors an opportunity to acquire original, collectible art created by outstanding artists. Join us as we open the doors to the final exhibition of our 2025 programme, beginning in November and running through to Christmas Eve. This festive season marks not only a celebration of creativity, but also an exciting prelude to the new ventures we have planned for the coming year. We look forward to welcoming you to the English Riviera Winter Open Exhibition 2025, where art, inspiration, and community come together in grand style.























