Date: 20 June 2012
Originally published in: Falmouth Packet (UK)
Written by:
After weeks of workshops at schools and Gyllngdune Gardens the winners of the “Global Gardens” art competition have been chosen. The competition was a joint enterprise between The John Dyer gallery, Gyllyngdune Gardens and Falmouth Art Gallery with the Falmouth Packet, the media partner.
Over the past few weeks Young artists, aged up to 16, have painted, drawn or used mixed media to create a piece of artwork on the theme of ‘Global Gardens’. Applicants could apply as individuals, or within the group category with many schools entering the competition including Falmouth Primary, King Charles, Mylor, Constantine and Mullion. With 528 entries in total a panel of seven judges, including artist John Dyer, Falmouth Art Gallery curator Louise Connell, Packet Editor Paul Armstrong, and 80s pop star and TV presenter Kim Wilde spent over three hours going through all the pieces entered and selecting the 24 prize winners.
Each winner will receive a limited edition print of a John Dyer painting of Alan Titchmarsh’s garden, signed by the artists and Alan Titchmarsh. They will also be given a ‘goody bag’ from Falmouth Art Gallery, with art materials and a signed copy of John Dyer’s book ‘A Vision of Paradise’.
The group winner, Bosvigo School, will be awarded with a signed copy of Kim Wilde’s book “Gardening with Children”.
The school said “We were so inspired, in fact, that we have decided to create a ‘Global Garden’ at our school. We thought this would be a fantastic celebration of 2012, and a legacy of the Olympic Games and Diamond Jubilee.”
Kim Wilde said: “What an impressive selection of paintings, just fabulous. Encouraging our children to appreciate the natural world around them is a wonderful way to stimulate and excite them, as well as educate them.”
Speaking about the event John Dyer said he was “thrilled that the ‘Global Gardens’ project has inspired so many children to connect to plants and nature. “It is only by forging connections between ourselves and the natural world that art, science and environmentalism can thrive and be taken forward by the next generation. I hope the wider community will come along to see this wonderful celebration of the natural world.”
The 25 winners can all be seen in a gallery on pages 27 and 47. All of the entries are being exhibited at the Gardens and online at http://www.johndyergallery.co.uk