Dunhurst shortlisted for Global Canvas Art Competition

The artistic efforts of a group of pupils at Bedales Prep, Dunhurst have earned the school a place in the final of the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation Global Canvas Children’s Art Competition 2019.

Tasked with producing an imaginative and creative entry that represented this year’s theme – ‘Habitats of the World’ – Group 3 (Year 6) pupils at the school worked together to create an art installation focusing on the plight of the orang-utan in Sumatra and Borneo due to deforestation.

The installation will now go on display alongside the other finalists’ work at the Natural History Museum in London on Thursday 7 March, before the winners are revealed at a prize giving ceremony in the Museum’s Flett Theatre.

Dunhurst’s success marks the second consecutive year that the school have reached the final stages of the Global Canvas Competition. Last year, their entry, which highlighted the state of the Great Barrier Reef in all its glory and splendour as well as the effects of coral bleaching, reached third place.

In a notably successful week for Dunhurst, it was also revealed on Monday that pupils Sophie Spencer and Izzy Russell had been selected as winners of the University of Cambridge’s Make Your Myth Competition 2018.

Children aged 7-13 were invited to enter by submitting creative entries inspired by the Roman goddess Diana of Versailles in the form of creative writing or art.

Sophie, who topped the Secondary School Art category, entered a painting of the goddess, while Izzy, who was named as a winner in the Primary School Art category, submitted a drawing. Both pieces were praised by the judges for originality and artistic quality.

Head of Dunhurst Colin Baty said: “In a year when the Global Canvas Children’s Art Competition has received a record number of entries, Dunhurst’s achievement is testament to the hard work and dedication of both pupils and staff at the school.”

Dunhurst’s Head of Art and Design Susan McFarlane added: “This is wonderful news for our school. Art is a subject open to all. Whether classics or global issues, pupils at Dunhurst are encouraged to explore cross-curricular themes in Art and Design as creatively and imaginatively as possible. It’s such a wonderful achievement for pupils to be recognised for their hard work and talents.”