Published Wednesday, 24th March 2021

Looking for an activity to keep the kids occupied this Easter? The Mayor of the Borough of Reigate & Banstead is on the lookout for talented young artists to enter an exciting art competition.

Themed ‘Lockdown life – and the future’, the competition encourages children to create a piece of artwork to reflect their experiences of 2020 and/or their hopes for 2021. This can be anything from home schooling to missing friends and family, clapping on doorsteps or celebrating local key workers. It could also portray what they’re most looking forward to in the future, such as hugging their grandparents or going on holiday. It can be created in a variety of mediums, from paints to crayons to collage, and should be A4 in size.

The entries will be split into three categories – under 8s, 8-12 years and 13-19 years – and a winner from each one will receive a £50 Hobbycraft voucher. The winners will also each receive a certificate from the Mayor and have their artwork showcased on the Council’s social media channels. One of these winners will also be crowned the overall winner and their winning artwork will be framed and displayed in the Mayor’s Parlour at the Town Hall in Reigate.

Cllr Rosemary Absalom, The Mayor of the Borough of Reigate & Banstead said: “Our children have had to adapt to so many new ways of living and working this past year, from social distancing and not being able to see family members, to learning at home and at school. And haven’t they been fantastic?

“This competition is a celebration of their experiences. With the Easter holidays coming up, we encourage our borough’s wonderful children to pick up their pens, pencils, whatever they fancy, and put their experiences and hopes for the future on paper.

“I can’t wait to see what they come up with. I already know it’s not going to be an easy competition to judge!”

To enter, parents are being asked to email a photo of their child’s artwork, plus their child’s name and age, to mayor@reigate-banstead.gov.uk with the email subject line as 'Mayor’s Art Competition' by 10 May 2021.

A shortlist will be drawn from each category and those shortlisted will be asked to send in their original artwork to the Town Hall for judging. The Mayor will announce the three winners, and which of these is the overall winner, at the Annual Council meeting on 27 May 2021.

For more information, including terms and conditions, please visit www.reigate-banstead.gov.uk/artcompetition