Carnival of the Animals

Carnival of the Animals

2026 Young Students Art Gallery Challenge

 

Ready to see your work in the spotlight? We’ve teamed up with Gallery of the Giants for the 2026 Young Students Art Gallery Challenge.

The Fresh Air Sculpture Show is inviting children from local schools and the community to become sculptors and take part in a fun mini competition!

Whether you’re a budding artist or a student under 18, this is your chance to shine—and win big in three age categories:

Up to 10 years  •  11-14 years  •  15-18 years

Win cash prizes – 1st prize £100, 2nd prize £30, 3rd prize £20 for each age category.

 

🎉 This Year’s Theme: Carnival

Think about:

  • Colourful parades
  • Music and dancing
  • Bright costumes
  • Movement and excitement

Your sculpture can be anything you like, as long as it links to the Carnival theme. Be as imaginative as you can!

♻️ What to Make Your Sculpture From

Your sculpture must:

  • Be no bigger than 20cm in any direction. You might make a selection of small pieces but they must all fit inside the 30x30x30cm cube gallery.
  • Be made only from recycled or reused materials

Great materials to use:

  • Cardboard
  • Packaging
  • Paper
  • Bottle tops
  • Fabric scraps
  • Foil
  • Any interesting “found” objects
🖼️ Exhibition Opportunity

Every sculpture entered will be displayed in a Mini Gallery at Gallery of Giants. This means your artwork will be part of the Fresh Air Sculpture Show!

🏆 Prizes

There are 3 categories, with prizes in each:

  • 🥇 1st Prize: £100
  • 🥈 2nd Prize: £30
  • 🥉 3rd Prize: £20

Judging will take place on Saturday 4th July.

If you wish to keep your sculpture it must be collected after judging and by 5pm on Monday 6th July.

📅 When to Enter

  • You can bring your sculpture from Saturday 13th June (opening day)
  • Deadline for entries: Friday 3rd July at 5pm.

Your artwork will be:

  • Photographed
  • Safely stored
  • Possibly shared on social media (with your name as the artist!)

📝 How to Enter

  • Complete the entry form attached
  • Entry is completely FREE

🌈 Final Message

Be creative, be original, and most of all—have fun!
We can’t wait to see a colourful carnival of creativity from our amazing young artists.

Download your entry form here.