Let’s Create Art Club, Swindon’s largest children’s visual arts organisation, celebrates their summer art competition winners with an exhibition at Richard Jefferies Museum.
Founded by local artist Rachel Bray, Let’s Create Art Club opened their first ‘Swindon Summer Art Competition’ in July.
This year’s theme was ‘My Imagination’, where KS1 and KS2 aged children were encouraged to create art inspired by the people, topics, and things that spark their imagination.
“For our first competition, we had over 140 entries from children aged 4 to 11,” said Rachel. “It was much harder to judge than I anticipated. There is such talent in Swindon and there were some really stand out pieces and unique interpretations and imaginative artworks.”
Children could submit art created from a range of materials.
“We saw artwork that was created using everything, from poster paint to collage to driftwood. It was great to see a wide range of mediums being used. The entries we received that fully embraced the theme of ‘My Imagination’ really shone.”
The two winners of Let’s Create Art Club’s art competition were:
KS1 Winner – Poppy, aged 7, who created a very colourful, fantastic flying caped cat, with a watermelon sun using metallic pens.
KS2 Winner – Georgia, aged 8, who created an intricate and well thought out entertainment treehouse that included everything from an art studio to a mermaid lagoon.
“Our KS1 winner was well deserved. Their bold colours, fun use of characters and interesting ideas throughout their design really stood out in this category,” Rachel commented.
“Our KS2 competition was strong. We chose our winner because it was packed with thoughts, ideas and details; a treehouse full of entertainment, each branch illustrated something new.”
“Both of our winners received hampers full of art supplies worth more than £60 and many of our winners were presented with their prizes and certificates in their school assemblies. It was lovely for them to be recognised in front of their peers.”
All artwork from the competition was exhibited at the Richard Jefferies Museum across three rooms from 22nd to 31st July. Due to the competition’s fantastic response, Rachel has big plans to continue and extend its reach.
“I want this to be an annual art competition; we had over £300 worth of prizes given away and I would like to secure sponsors for next year to make the prizes even bigger!”
To Rachel, this is more than just a competition.
“It means a lot to me to bring attention to Swindon’s children’s artwork. Daily, I hear the stories that live behind the art and am often wowed with the individual style that can be effortless to kids,” she said.
“They deserve to have an event that celebrates them and that they can feel proud to have entered, and in some cases even won.”
Let’s Create Art Club is a member of the Institute of Children’s Activity Providers (ICAP), ensuring the club meets high standards for safety, inclusion and engagement. They provide a safe, fun, and pressure-free artistic environments through after-school clubs, weekend workshops and holiday art camps for children aged four to twelve.
Secure a place at one of their 18 after school clubs in Term 1 here: https://www.letscreateartclub.co.uk/
Article from Scott Media
