Young East Anglian Artists

This year, we are proud to be continuing our Young East Anglian Artists competition. This community event will enable us to celebrate the artwork of our young artists, whilst raising money for Cancer Research UK.

The theme for YEAA 2026 is: Discovery

Discovery is at the heart of creativity. It’s the thrill of uncovering something new, the quiet wonder of a hidden detail, or the bold leap into the unknown. Discovery might be captured in the curiosity of a child, the beauty of nature revealed under a microscope, or the vastness of space waiting to be explored. It could be an emotional journey, a breakthrough idea, or simply seeing the world from a fresh perspective. Whether personal, scientific, or imaginative, discovery shapes who we are and how we grow.
Through this competition, students are invited not only to reflect on discovery through art, but also to help fuel real-world breakthroughs. In the last 4 years, we have raised in excess of £5,000 for Cancer Research and continue to ensure that all proceeds from the competition support this fantastic cause – creating opportunities for lifesaving discoveries, better treatments, and more hopeful futures.

Artwork can be completed as a home project or within class time and should be 2D, no larger than A3 size.

We ask that all artwork is submitted by Friday 20 March.

We’re delighted to confirm that shortlisted pieces will once again be exhibited in the John Gibbins Gallery in Woodbridge from Friday 19th to Sunday 21st June 2026. Local artists will serve as our judges, choosing work to be exhibited as well as winners and runners up from 4 age categories: Nursery & Reception, Year 1 & 2, Year 3 & 4, Year 5 & 6. First place artwork will be framed and children chosen for first, second and third place in each category will also receive a rosette.

Through this competition, your art not only explores the theme of opportunity but also helps create it. By supporting Cancer Research, this event provides opportunities for groundbreaking discoveries, improved treatments, and greater awareness. Every piece entered contributes to a future where more lives are saved, more hope is given, and more opportunities for progress are realised.

If your child would like the chance to have their work exhibited, they are asked to submit their artwork (and their copyright in it) to YEAA, along with a minimum entry donation of £2.50 per child, as their contribution to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

Judges will select this year’s prize-winners and you will be notified if your child has won a prize, or their picture has been selected for the exhibition. The exhibition will be held at the John Gibbins Gallery (upstairs in The Longshed) in Woodbridge from Friday 19 to Sunday 21 June 2026.

Each exhibited artist will receive a certificate and winning artwork will be framed. Paintings at the exhibit are also available for purchase, with priority being given to the artist’s family.

We know that we have many aspirational young artists within the school and are looking forward to sharing the work that they produce whilst raising money for charity.

Postcards of the winners’ work will be for sale at the exhibition and the paintings are also available for purchase, with priority being given to the artist’s family.

Entry Details

• Every child entering can submit one piece of artwork following the theme ‘Discovery’ (and transfers their copyright).
• We ask for a minimum entry donation of £2.50 per child as their contribution, raising money for Cancer Research UK (details below).

Where possible, we ask that work is delivered or posted to the Woodbridge School Prep office (details below).

LABELLING:

• Please attach a sticker with child’s name, year and school on the back of each entry.
• Ensure the sticker has the arrow pointing in the direction indicating the top of the picture.

SIZE:

• Any size up to A3 (42cm x 30cm).
• Unmounted and unlaminated please.

MEDIUM:

• All 2D mediums accepted, e.g. paint, chalk, pastels, drawing, sewing etc.
• No bulky collages.

PRIZES:

• Winners and runners up will be chosen from four age categories: Nursery and Reception, Years 1 and 2, Years 3 and 4 and Years 5 and 6.
• All first prize art will be framed.

EXHIBITION:

• From the work submitted, we will ensure that each school is represented.
• Given contacts from each school will be made aware of which entries have been chosen and can then relay this to parents.
• Chosen artwork will be exhibited at the Johns Gibbins Gallery (upstairs in The Longshed) from 19 to 21 June 2026 (open 09:00 to 15:00 daily).
• Artwork that has not been exhibited can be picked up from the exhibition or the Woodbridge School Prep office
• Each exhibited artist will receive a certificate.
• The artwork will be available for purchase, with priority being given to the artist’s family. Postcards will also be available for purchase.

Artist Judges

Alice Ridley www.alice-ridley.com

Alice Ridley studied theatre design at Nottingham Trent and then fine art at London Fine Art Studios. She strives to provide beauty through the medium of oil and charcoal, skilfully conveying the complexity of light. She is an inspiring art teacher to others and is a frequent exhibitor in East Anglia. Her outdoor love of rural Suffolk and capture of the simple snapshots of home life, are richly conveyed in her paintings.

Laurel Berry www.laurelberrystudio.com

Laurel Berry is a Suffolk-based painter inspired by the wild, both in the natural world and in the way paint moves across canvas. Her work captures the energy and emotion of wildlife through layered textures, wobbly lines, and expressive brushwork. Each piece is a small act of connection between the viewer, the subject, and the living world we all belong to.

Spadge Hopkins www.spadgehopkins.co.uk

Spadge Hopkins’ work is informed by experience gained during a creative career that involved product design, music and engineering. Currently he works in metal and ceramics and also produces prints using various techniques. His metal sculptures often involve the use of void and shadow. Recent subjects have included music icons, natural history, automobiles and autobiographical themes exploring the past in an attempt to make sense of the present.

Amanda Warren www.amandawarren.co.uk

Amanda Warren uses a variety of media to create artworks imbued with a sense of mythology, time and place. For the past two summers she has worked in the Time Team dome at Sutton Hoo, collecting and developing ideas and engaging with visitors interested in the process. Paper, natural materials and textiles come together to create evocative pictures and vessels.