Junior Painter of the Year 2010

Irene Podogrocki's winning painting. She was the regional runner up for the upper juniors for the North East in 2009

This year’s theme is ‘Visions of the Future’. Perhaps the pupils have visions of a world full of exciting inventions, time travel or even aliens? Maybe they picture a more beautiful world, one that is free from war and pollution?

Last year we received over 15,000 entries from 400 schools and we are hoping that this year will be even bigger! Once again we are working in partnership with the Royal Academy of Arts in London where the winning paintings will be exhibited from the 15 October – 11 November 2010. Our head judge, Professor Maurice Cockrill RA, the Keeper of the Royal Academy and famous artist and illustrator, Quentin Blake CBE will also be producing works which will be displayed alongside the winning paintings… what a privilege!

Get inspired!

'Visions of the Future' film - featuring pupils and staff from St Jude's Primary School in Herne Hill, London.
One of the amazing prizes if you win the competition is a painting workshop at your school run by a professional artist. Watch our painting workshops film and see last year's national winner and her classmates enjoying the exciting painting workshop. This film was also shot at St Jude's Primary School and features the pupils, staff and local artist Rebecca Campbell.
Take a look at our new Junior Painter booklet which contains all the information you need to enter the competition.
Also, why not read this year’s introductory letter from Quentin Blake CBE.
You can check out our audio slide show of last year’s winners day to find out what treats may lie in store for if one of your pupil’s win.
For more inspiration, please visit our online Flickr gallery to view last year’s winning paintings.
And don’t forget to print out the certificate of participation for any pupil who takes part.

New for this year is the Maurice Cockrill Award. Teachers who enter this category could win a very special painting by Professor Cockrill’s himself.. The idea behind this new award is to encourage schools to take the project to a new level and really try and develop the theme in new and exciting ways. Everything you need to know about this new category is detailed in the Junior Painter Awards booklet which you can download below.

The deadline for entries is 14 September. Three national winners will be chosen out of the 36 regional winners and the national winners will be treated to an awards day in London in October. All winners will have their works exhibited at the Royal Academy!

If you would like any more information or would like to order a hard copy of the booklet, please contact Gemma Roberts in the Schools Team on 01444 446768 or garoberts@sightavers.org

Good luck and happy painting!