Young Wiltshire artists sought to enter wildlife-themed competition (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Young Wiltshire artists sought to enter wildlife-themed competition

9:52am Tuesday 31st July 2012 in News

The Woodland Trust is encouraging Wiltshire's best young artists to get creative this summer and take part in its marvellous minibeasts art competition.

The contest, run on the charity's nature detectives website is open to children, schools and youth groups and aims to spark young people’s interest in bug life and the natural world by encouraging them to create their very own minibeast masterpiece.

Entrants can choose from a range of online design templates including a ladybird and a dragonfly, and are asked to transform it with colour, pattern and texture.

The lucky winners will receive one of a host of minibeast-themed prizes; goodies include butterfly houses, bug magnifiers, nature detectives club membership and I-spy in the countryside books.

The entries will be judged in four age categories: under-fives, five-eight years, nine-11 years and 12-16 years. For classes and groups only one entry is permitted.

Beverley Gormley from the Trust’s nature detectives team said: “We’re looking for brilliant bug-inspired artwork that is innovative and imaginative.

"The summer holidays are a great time for children to try new activities; entering our minibeast art competition is a really fun way to get young people involved in art while igniting their interest in the great outdoors.

"We want as many children to enter as possible, everyone should choose their favourite bug and get creative!”

To enter, youngsters must post their artwork along with an entry ticket available on the nature detectives website, to the Woodland Trust.

The competition closing date is midnight on August 29.

For tons of fun ideas for having summer adventures, further information on how to enter and joining the nature detectives club, visit www.naturedetectives.org.uk/art/