THE 2015 York and Area Pre-school Art Competition has been launched and invites artwork entries from nursery children on the theme of jungle animals.

The competition, which is run by Terrington Hall School, in association with the Gazette & Herald and its sister paper, The Press, is now in its fourth year, and has proved a big success with nurseries and pre-schoolers, aged two to four, from Ryedale, York and the surrounding area.

Last year, there was a magnificent response to the minibeast competition theme with more than 650 artwork entries.

The event has proved so successful that numbers of entries per nursery or pre-school setting this year have been limited to a maximum of 50 per setting, so that all entries can be displayed at the open exhibition on Saturday, June 6, at Terrington Hall School.

“This year, with the theme of jungle animals as its focus, the competition offers even more scope for young imaginations,” said Rachel I’Anson, Terrington Hall’s head of the pre-preparatory school.

“There are so many subjects to choose from and a wealth of books to encourage children’s natural artistic creativity.

“Nursery favourites at Terrington Hall include Giles Andreae’s Giraffes Can’t Dance and Rumble in the Jungle.

“Both titles feature bright, bold illustrations and delightful rhyming text which appeal to young children’s sense of humour.

“We’re sure to be drawing on these two titles for inspiration for our own nursery’s entries.”

This year, the competition will be judged by local children’s author Beth Dexter-Smith whose pre-school counting book, Where’s the Scone? has been published and who has recently completed writing Stud Metal Mary the Rock ‘n’ Roll Fairy about a tomboy fairy with attitude.

For the past two years Beth, who is a building conservation officer with the North York Moors National Park Authority, has been instrumental in the Ryedale Book Festival’s Schools Story Project.

Visiting local primary schools, she has inspired children to contribute as authors and illustrators to an on-going story, which has been published by Pickering-based company IF and featured at the festival alongside the original artwork.

“It’s been a privilege to have been involved in this inspirational collaborative project,’ says Beth. ‘I couldn’t have been prouder of what the children produced in The Amazing Jungle Adventure and Evie’s Adventures in Candyland, and I hope they were too as it was all their own work.’ “I am thrilled to be asked to judge the York & Area Pre-school Art Competition and look forward to viewing the entries and meeting the young artists at the exhibition.”

As usual, artwork entries – paintings or collages – are welcome from nursery and pre-school children aged two to four on the competition theme of jungle animals. Every entrant will receive a 10 per cent discount voucher from competition main sponsor, Hobbycraft.

Each child’s work will be considered and Hobbycraft vouchers totalling £120 awarded to the leading young artists at ages two, three and four and to the nurseries or registered pre-schools they attend.

For the best overall entry across all age groups, vouchers totalling £225 will be awarded to the child and their nursery or registered pre-school. There will also be 10 £10 vouchers for highly-commended artists.

The prizes have been sponsored by Barnitts, Hobbycraft, Rodgers of York, IF and Terrington Hall School.

All entries will be on display at Terrington Hall School on Saturday, June 6 when Beth Dexter-Smith will be on hand to present the prizes. Doors open at 10.30am. The family morning will include children’s craft activities and light refreshments.

Terrington Hall headteacher Stephen Mulryne said: “I am looking forward once again to viewing the entries for this competition.

“We are delighted that Beth Dexter-Smith has agreed to be our judge and I look forward to welcoming the competitors and their families to the exhibition.”

Individuals, nurseries and pre-school settings (such as registered playgroups and registered childminders) wishing to take part should phone Terrington Hall School on 01653 648227 or email helentorlesse@gmail.com for an entry form. Closing date for receipt of entry forms is Friday, March 20. Closing date for receipt of artwork is Wednesday, April 29.