Bradford exhibition will showcase children's art

My apologies if this seems a miserable way to begin my article this month, but I'm hoping to show how this word rejection may sometimes result in a positive outcome.

As you may have gathered by now, I try my best to promote and showcase children’s art. To do this I often enter my students’ work into exhibitions, either from schools or from my private tuition students. Although I do my best to prepare them for the inevitable R word it is never an easy conversation to have with an excited eight-year-old, or any age to be honest.

Not accepted, not chosen...REJECTED.

I know the feeling as, although I have exhibited and been accepted many times, I have also had work rejected too. My first thought used to be ‘I must be useless or not good enough’. However, once you have a few accepted then you know you are okay.

One of my students had a painting accepted into the Young Artists Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy a few years ago and I had my painting in the RA last year so naturally I submitted my students’ work and my own this year, only to receive the big R word. Seeing the disappointment yet again on the children’s faces, I knew I had to regain their spirit and confidence in their art.

In July this year there will be a children’s/young people’s art exhibition in a gallery in the centre of Bradford, and I’d like young artists wanting to get involved to send their work to me. The exhibition will focus on the heritage of Bradford including its buildings, the art style of our own David Hockney and a fun section on pantomime. After all, the wonderful Alhambra theatre has hosted many a joyful panto over the years.

You may wonder how panto can be portrayed in art. This can be a painting of your favourite panto character, a scene, a costume design or even a photo of yourself in a panto costume. Just have fun, either by yourself or with a friend. What about a panto villain or the ugly sisters from Cinderella? Persuade a male member of the family to dress up as a Dame. Why not? Good luck!

Now I do realise I may be that person saying ‘I’m sorry but due to the huge demand I regret your work has not been accepted this time’ or hopefully I will be saying ‘Well done, although there has been a huge number of submissions, I am pleased to inform you that your artwork will be appearing in the exhibition’.

This project is open for artists aged four to 18. Please send me your fantastic work asap by emailing me at purplegrandma48@gmail.com Thank you in advance.

Remember: NEVER FEEL REJECTED!

The paintings in this article are an eclectic mix of styles, yet all showcasing a love of painting by young people of all ages.

First Snow by Arisha Khaleeq, 12 (Image: Lynne Dobson)

Playful Cat by Lola Hudson, seven (Image: Lynne Dobson)

My Hockney by Noor Hassan, nine (Image: Lynne Dobson)

Trees of Wonder by Auryn Matthews, six (Image: Lynne Dobson)

* Lynne Dobson is a Bradford artist and retired art teacher.