Art Squad youngsters reach final of international Global Canvas competition

The Year 6 Art Squad at Broadclyst Community Primary School (BCPS) have just found out that their work has got through to the final of the Global Canvas 2019 art competition, and they will be taking their entry to the Natural History Museum in London for the judging on 7 March. Their Ocean Display entry was one of a record number to the international competition that involved over 5055 children from 26 countries across four continents.

Global Canvas is an art competition created by the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation’s Art for Survival programme and was established in 2004 to encourage young people to express their concern for the environment through art.

The 14 children worked together to plan their display and came up with their own ideas around the theme of ‘habitats’. In previous art lessons they had been looking at human impact on shores and plastic pollution and they decided to revisit this theme, but to interpret the magic and the beauty of the ocean habitat and particularly coral reefs through their art.

BCPS art teacher Chloe Farrant commented: “Art Squad are all dedicated pupils who love learning new skills in art and exploring with new media; they have been using their lunchtimes to work on the project. They experimented with new ways of working in both 2D and 3D using materials and techniques including cyanotype photography, screen printing and spray painting as well as stoneware ceramic and porcelain sculptures. They even came up with the idea of creating a box you can sit in with a UV torch and experience jellyfish painted in neon paint! I am very proud of their imagination and dedication.”

Watch a video of the children creating the project.