YOUNG artists in Shaftesbury and the surrounding area will once again be given the opportunity to showcase their talents at this year’s Young People’s Art Competition.

The competition, organised by the Cygnet Gallery and the Swan’s Trust, is for primary schools in the Shaftesbury area and will culminate in an exhibition in the Garden Room at the Gold Hill Museum in Shaftesbury on July 29.

The schools taking part are St Andrews – Fontmell Magna, Motcombe, William Barnes – Sturminster Newton, St Gregory’s – Marnhull, Hindon, and Shaftesbury Primary.

School staff will decide on the best two pieces from KS1 and the best 2 from KS2. Cygnet Gallery artists will then be asked to decide on the overall best pieces from each Key Stage.

The schools have been asked to judge pieces of art based on two criteria – creativity/originality and technical ability.

A spokesperson for the competition said: “There is no set theme for pieces of art work.

“It was agreed with the schools that it would be better and more flexible if work is ‘naturally occurring’, ie, generated through the delivery of the curriculum.

“Work must be 2D, but generated through any suitable medium, eg painting, drawing, photography, collage, textiles etc. and to a maximum size of A3.

“Work from participating schools will be mounted and framed, ready for exhibition, free of charge. Swan’s Trust, Shaftesbury, have kindly agreed to fund these costs.

“Photographs will then be placed on the Cygnet web site for all Cygnet Artists to access and vote for the best piece of work from Key Stage 1 and 2.

“We see the Young People’s  Art Competition as an important component in developing links with schools and young people, and encouraging creativity and a wider appreciation of Art  and Design.”

The competition exhibition will take place from Sunday July 28, until Saturday August 10.

There will be a first day reception event on that day, starting at 4pm, to which the families of children who’s work is exhibited, key school staff, Cygnet Artists and Gold Hill Museum staff will be invited.

The Mayor of Shaftesbury will open the exhibition at the reception.

The exhibition is included as an official Shaftesbury Fringe event, and Cygnet Artists will be delivering demonstrations/workshops of their art and craft skills between 10.30am and 4pm on Sunday July 28.

Prizes will be given to each exhibiting child (an online art supplier gift voucher) and the overall KS1 and KS2 winners will receive a beautiful trophy, specially made in wood by Cygnet Gallery Artist Jason Fermor.

In addition, all school winners will receive a winner’s certificate, and every participating child will also receive a certificate of participation.