Aeronautical Engineers - The New Short Brothers Art Competition for Kent Schools

7 April 2016

We are looking for a creative composition that must include the artists’ impression of any flying machine built by the Short Brothers. Research will reveal balloons in the early years, early land planes, seaplanes and then a heavy WW2 bomber built in Rochester.

Size of work - A3 size paper or card only.

Medium - any 2 dimensional medium including well attached collage.

On the back - the reverse of the work MUST state the name, age, Key Stage and school name.

The Finalists - three entries will be chosen by our two professional artist judges Billy Childish and Steven Lowe whose decision is final.

The outcome - three works from each Key Stage will be professionally mounted and put forward for inclusion in a touring exhibition in Kent.

The closing date will be last post on Monday 1st August 2016 by which time entries will need to have been sent to:

Mr Steve Lowe
L13 Light Industrial Workshop
31 Eyre Street Hill
Clerkenwell
London
EC1R 5EW and marked ‘ART COMP’

The objectives of the Young Peoples Art Competition ‘Heavier than Air / Lighter than Air’ are:

  • To promote the very rich aviation heritage of Kent and recognise the role the Short Brothers played in both economic and cultural terms
  • To engage the school population of Kent by encouraging them to research the subject and appreciate how their lives have been improved by their regional history
  • To enjoy producing a piece of art work in a ‘friendly’ and gently competitive way.

Our hope is that this could be included in the curriculum during second half of the summer term or pupils could be encouraged to do the work at home independent of busy schools.

This ‘competition’ is part of a much larger project to bring to Kent and the digital world the important role that for many decades was played out from Sheppey to Rochester, through two world wars and into the modern age of jet engines and missiles.

The pieces of work that are mounted for exhibition will be held for some time whilst others can be returned if a stamped addressed envelope is sent with the entry.

Please register your school's interest with Liz Walker by email.