Hall gives artists a chance to fill gap left by Venetian masterpiece

The Long Gallery at Kiplin Hall, near Richmond, gives pride of place to an 18th century oil by Luca Carlevarijs, showing St Mark's Square during a carnival. It was commissioned by British Consul Christopher Crowe, who bought Kiplin Hall in 1722.

The canvas is going on loan to the National Gallery in London for an exhibition, Venice – Canaletto and His Rivals, which opens on October 13.

To fill the gap during the loan period, artists of all ages are being asked to paint or draw their interpretation of sections of the painting. The overall winner will enjoy a first-class trip to London, and a visit to the National Gallery to see the Kiplin Hall Carlevarijs hung alongside nearly 50 examples of the Venetian School.

A selection of the paintings and drawings submitted to Kiplin Hall will be framed as a collage and hung in the place usually occupied by the masterpiece. Local artist Sally Ann Wade has painted an example.

Kiplin Hall Curator Dawn Webster said: "It's a fun way to fill the space left by the loan. This will make people really look at the painting, which is a wonderful depiction of a Venetian carnival."