ENTRY forms are now available for this year’s Youth Open Art Competition.

Run annually by St Helens Council’s Arts Service, Cultured (St Helens Cultural Education Partnership) and The World of Glass, the competition is targeted at all young people aged up to 16 years of age who live or study in the borough, with a new category this year especially for special educational needs and disability (SEND) artists.

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Last year’s event saw more than 500 submissions from aspiring artists who were given the opportunity to showcase their talents in a range of areas, including paintings, sculptures, textiles and photography.

Work will be welcomed once again in the mediums listed above - as well as drawing, animation and film, which are new additions to this year’s prize categories.

All exhibitors will receive a certificate and lucky prize-winners – selected by guest judge Jennifer Gilbert, of Jennifer Lauren Gallery – will receive a hand-made award produced by The World of Glass.

St Helens Star:

One of last year's winning entries

Selected entries will be displayed in The World of Glass Museum as part as a public exhibition from November 13 to January 14, 2022.

Encouraging youngsters to take part, St Helens Council’s portfolio holder for wellbeing, culture and heritage, Cllr Anthony Burns, said: “We always get such a good response to our annual Youth Open Art competition and I can’t wait to see the outstanding pieces of work produced this year.

“The arts scene in St Helens - which is home to so many local artists and organisations - is buzzing, and this competition is a great opportunity for young people with an interest in art to promote their work on a grand stage.”

St Helens Star:

Another of 2020's winning entries