Pupils Paint the Future to 'Blow Down' the Past

January 2008

Award winning property developer, Calthorpe Estates, is offering aspiring artists a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with the launch of an art competition for local schools.

Pupils in Year 6 from ten schools in the surrounding area will submit drawings, paintings and collages of their vision of Edgbaston.

The lucky winner will have the opportunity to press the button to ‘blow down’ Edgbaston Shopping Centre, which is currently being redeveloped, as well as have their artwork showcased on hoardings around the site.

First prize also includes six tickets for Alton Towers, a class party at TGI Fridays and a canvas print of their picture. Two runners up will also have their images displayed on the hoardings and will win a family meal for six at TGI Fridays and a canvas print of their picture.

Judging will take place the first week of February, with results announced in mid February.

Calthorpe Estates Sales and Marketing Director, Jayne Herritty, said "This competition is a perfect opportunity to encourage the younger residents of Edgbaston to look around, and get excited about their surroundings. The hope is to capture the area from every angle, and represent the people and places that are important to those who are growing up now, and may well spend their lives in the city.

“There is a tremendous amount of redevelopment in progress on the estate and the demolition of Edgbaston Shopping Centre marks the start of the largest regeneration project of a principal gateway to Birmingham city centre. Construction of Edgbaston Galleries, the £110 million mixed-use scheme which will replace the old shopping centre, is scheduled to commence later on this year and is due for completion in phases from 2010.”

The 10 schools that are participating are: Chad Vale Primary School, West House School, St Catherine of Siena Catholic Primary School, Woodview Primary School, City Road Primary School, St George’s Church of England Primary School, St John’s Ladywood Church of England Primary School, The Oratory Roman Catholic Primary School, George Dixon Junior and Infant School, St Peter’s Church of England Primary School.

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