Budding artists of all ages are being asked to take part in a national arts and crafts competition to help raise awareness of the UK’s diminishing floodplain meadows.
The OU and the Floodplain Meadows Partnership have launched the competition encouraging people to visit a local floodplain and create a piece of art that represents the importance and beauty of these natural habitats.
A floodplain meadow in bloom
Anyone can enter the competition and judges are hoping artists will use a wide variety of art and crafts to capture the floodplain meadows, from sketches and paintings through to sculptures, ceramics and even video.
Artists are encouraged to be as creative as possible whilst also thinking about the role of floodplain meadows in managing climate change, their role in nature, and the contribution of floodplain meadows in a sustainable agricultural system.
Emma Rothero, Floodplain Meadows Partnership Manager at The Open University, said:
“We are very excited to be launching this fabulous floodplain meadow arts and crafts competition, and really hope people will be as thrilled as we are to explore the many facets of floodplain meadows through art and craft. We want people to think about floodplain meadows in a creative and innovate way, and in particular, how important floodplain meadows are in helping store carbon, floodwater, and their fantastic biodiversity.”
She adds:
“Sadly, floodplain meadows are now very rare, with over 97% of meadows now lost, but they were once the backbone of the rural economy in England and have a fantastic story to tell about our history as well as all the benefits they bring.”
Through the competition, the OU and partners want to raise awareness of floodplain meadows and convince the government that they are the best use of floodplains on lowland rivers and should be seen as part of a package of natural climate solutions.
How to get involved in the competition
The Floodplain Meadows Arts Competition 2021 is funded by the Morgan Family Bursary Fund and the William Dean Countryside and Educational Trust.
The competition is open to everyone, and budding artists can find their local floodplain meadow on this map.
Prizes include a £250 Field Studies Council voucher and a fabulous meadow produce hamper.
Shortlisted entries will be featured in an exclusive art exhibition and the 12 winners will be included in a calendar for 2022. Winners will be announced at the Floodplain Meadow’s Partnership online conference on 15th October 2021.
Selected submissions will also be used on postcards, posters, banners, social media, on our website and in other material to promote floodplain meadows. Artists will be credited for all their work that we use.
To enter:
- Visit a floodplain meadow between April 2021 and August 2021
- Create a piece of art based on your visit
- Submit your entry online before midday 28th August 2021 by visiting the website (T&Cs and additional information available on the website.)
Learn more about floodplain meadows and the OU and the Floodplain Meadows Partnership’s ongoing work to research, manage, promote and restore these special spaces.
For any queries, please contact Floodplain-Meadows-Project@open.ac.uk
