Young Art in the Park - 15 schools, one fabulous day

Young Art in the Park 2016 on Sunday 24th April at Hampshire Collegiate School proved to be a big success this year, more than doubling in size compared to the first year. With 15 schools taking part as well as different conservation, art and nature organisations. Even Harry Hampshire turned up for the day. Young and old had a great time!

The New Forest National Park Authority, Hampshire Ornithological Society, Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Amews Falconry and the Woodland Trust provided activities and information about nature and conservation. The event provided many learning opportunities as well as fun and creativity. Rum’s Eg Romsey offered a felt bee crafting workshop and the Southampton Beekeepers Association showed how a real hive works. The head groundsman, Bob Hearn, also gave tours of the Grade II listed woodland gardens.

Pupils from the different schools contributed to the artwork installed in the grounds, as well as a photography competition and exhibition themed “Nature All Around Us”, which attracted over 200 entries.

The schools who took part from across Hampshire and Wiltshire were Westgate School, Awbridge Primary School, Priestlands School, Oaks Federation Schools, The New Forest School, Harrow Way School, Stroud School, Hounsdown School, Banister Primary School, Sherborne House, Mountbatten School and of course HCS Prep and Senior Schools.

Sir Harold Hillier Gardens will take a selection of the artwork back for their ‘Art in the Garden’ exhibition over the summer, judged. Wolfgang Bopp, Director, awarded the prizes. First prize to Awbridge Primary School, with the judges praising the approach and setting of their pottery fungi. Hounsdown were second, for its install of a combination of graffiti panels. The judges liked its international, multi-cultural feel and variety of techniques. Lastly, third prize was awarded to the Oaks CE Federation (Copythorne School, Netley Marsh School and St Michael & All Angels School) were recognised with third prize for their use of materials (recycled bottle tops) and clear ecological message.

The judges agreed, that all the artworks were of a very high standard and asked for more categories for future years to enable them to award more prizes! Many of the artworks will be on show over the summer at Sir Harold Hillier Gardens in Romsey.