Schoolchildren drawn to St Andrews secret garden

Scotland’s oldest university is inviting local pupils to let their imaginations run wild this spring at St Andrews Botanic Garden.

Once again the University of St Andrews is inviting school pupils to get creative and enter its annual art competition, the MUSA Young Artist Award. The competition, launched in 2007, attracted nearly 400 entries and heralds the opening of a new Museum for the University of St Andrews (MUSA) later this summer, which will provide greater public access to the University’s historic collections.

The theme for this year’s competition is “The Garden of Secrets”. The University has teamed up with St Andrews Botanic Garden where children will discover all kinds of hidden surprises, including a miniature jungle, towering pine trees, a rock garden and a waterfall.  Their challenge is to create an original work of art in any 2D or 3D medium inspired by the plants and creatures that live in the garden.

The competition is open to all P1-7, S1-3 and special education school pupils in Fife, and a new category has been introduced for nurseries this year. To help pupils prepare their entries, teachers can book art workshops at the garden for their class or download resources from the competition website for use at school.

Works must reflect the competition theme and will be judged on their originality and impact.  15 lucky winners will receive MUSA Young Artist medals plus art supplies or vouchers. In September a selection of the best artworks will be mounted and displayed in public at the University’s Gateway Galleries.

The MUSA Young Artist Award is sponsored by the Vettriano Trust.  The Trust is keen to promote art in Fife and wholeheartedly supports the competition, which aims to support creativity in schools and to encourage both teachers and pupils to make use of the University’s collections.

The closing date for all entries is Tuesday 3 July 2008.  Entry guidelines are available on the competition website at http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/museum/art-competition/

School workshop enquiries should be directed to Jean Kemp, Education Officer, St Andrews Botanic Garden, Tel: 0781 6628100, Email: [email protected]

For all other enquiries about the competition please contact Alison Hadfield, Learning & Access Curator, Museum Collections Unit.  Tel: 01334 462396 / 462417, Email: [email protected]

The first Botanic Garden in St Andrews was established in 1889 by the University for use in teaching and research. It was originally located behind St Mary’s College in South Street and moved to the current site, between Kinness Burn and Canongate in 1960. In 1987 the garden was leased to Fife Council which now carries full responsibility for its management. Set within 18 acres of impressively landscaped grounds, St Andrews Botanic Garden is home to about 8000 species of ferns, herbaceous plants, shrubs and trees, and has won international recognition for its design.

ENDS

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Ref:  MUSA 070508
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