British schools embark on Olympic sail art contest

Fine Art Sails inaugural UK Championship Regatta early in 2013 © Fine Art Sails

28,000 UK schools and every child in the country have been offered the opportunity to create fine art for Olympic Star Class sails.

Fine Art Sails and the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation are inviting young people from 7 to 17 years of age to jump aboard and enter into a unique competition to design a 10m tall main sail for a 'Star Class' boat to be raced by Sir Ben Ainslie, Iain Percy OBE and many more Olympic sailors at the London Boat Show on 4th and 5th January 2014.

The 'Sail Art' contest is supported by The Campaign for Drawing led by the Serpentine Gallery Founding Director Sue Grayson-Ford. The Campaign's Patrons include Andrew Marr, Sir Quentin Blake, and David Hockney CM.

The competition for the best artwork for the Olympic sails is in three categories - 7-10 years; 11-14 years; 15-17 years.

The theme is 'Legends of the Sea' intended to unleash imaginations and art materials. Students are to think about sea gods, mythical marine creatures, Atlantis or any windy and watery shanties that take their fancy.

The first prizes will also include a day sailing with Olympic sailors, STAEDTLER art materials worth £250 for the winning schools, and a special invitation to the London Boat Show in January 2014 to watch the Fine Art Sails regatta on 4th and 5th January 2014.

As well as the 3 winning student artworks (one winner from each age group) being hoisted onto Olympic Star Class sails for the regatta, 3 new established artists' work will join 4 sails from last year's regatta by Goldie, Julian Opie, David Begbie and EINE.

Discussing the National Schools "Sail Art" Competition, Olympic Gold medallist Iain Percy OBE says: "One of the things I really love about sailing, is the ocean. The beauty of it. The power of it sometimes. I want young people in this sailing art competition to capture it for us".

Americas Cup winner and Olympic Gold medallist Sir Ben Ainslie says: "Sailing is a fantastic sport in many ways but not just on the water. It's a way youngsters can express themselves. The sail is a great canvas for kids to paint all over and express themselves in different ways. I'm very excited about that".

Founder of Fine Art Sails Michael Ross says: "My idea with this competition is to let every child in the country know about sailing, not just as a sport but as a potential career path. Not every school has sailing as an activity, but every child in the country has art lessons. This competition will bring sailing into every child's art class".

Fine Art Sails and the National Schools "Sail Art" Competition is in support of the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation (ASSF).

After Andrew Simpson's tragic death, the Foundation was established by Iain Percy OBE, Sir Ben Ainslie, and Andrew's wife Leah. The Fine Art Sails National Sail Art Competition continues the theme of encouraging and mentoring children into sailing, honouring Andrew's life and legacy.

Through their sailing experiences the charity will help to develop young people's life skills, but importantly it will also assist the children into employment in the sailing community through apprenticeships with partners including sail makers, boat builders, nautical technologies and other marine companies.

Entering the 'Sail Art' Contest

Schools must choose and submit only one entry per age category. Closing date for entries is 2pm Friday 29 November 2013.

To enter: download a sail template [ZIP file], read the rules and eligibility, and get your students designing. Then submit your entry here. Please send only one entry per age group.

www.campaignfordrawing.org