Young East Anglian Artist Competition and Exhibition – Jun 2026
Woodbridge School Prep is delighted to once again be hosting and sponsoring the Young East Anglian Artist competition and exhibition; a community centred, philanthropic event that captures the imaginations of children at local primary schools across the region; engaging the prowess of thousands of budding young artists. The theme for 2026 is ‘Discovery’ which is at the heart of all creativity; the thrill of uncovering something new, the quiet wonder of a hidden detail, or the bold leap into the unknown!
Children have been invited to not only reflect on discovery through art, but also to help fuel real-world breakthroughs; the last four years have seen this competition raise over £5,000 for Cancer Research UK, and proceeds from the competition will continue to support this fantastic cause – creating opportunities for lifesaving discoveries, better treatments and more hopeful futures.
The competition also offers children the chance to have their artwork displayed in a professional gallery, artwork invited from nursery age to Year 6 in schools across Suffolk.
This year’s judges include Alice Ridley, Laurel Berry, Spadge Hopkins and Amanda Warren:
Alice Ridley
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
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
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
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.
Judging all entries, a 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize winner, along with a Highly Commended piece will be selected. These will be exhibited alongside 250 other pieces of artwork, chosen from submissions to the competition, at the John Gibbins gallery in Woodbridge from 19 to 21 June 2026.
Funds have already been raised by each entrant contributing and making a minimum donation of £2.50 per piece of artwork, and more will be raised when selected pieces will be sold after the exhibition of artwork closes; all proceeds also going to Cancer Research UK.
We do hope you have the opportunity to visit the gallery and see some of the splendid artwork local children have created for yourselves.
Thank you to everyone who entered the competition, we’re excited to find out and announce our prize winners, and look forward to sharing more news with you once that selection has taken place.
