16 June 2016

Yorkshire schoolchildren are being given the chance to take part in a new schools competition which will see a huge artwork of unique white roses installed in York Museum Gardens.

Key Stage 2 and 3 Pupils have been asked to design their very own artistic interpretation of the iconic white Yorkshire Rose. The winning design will then be recreated into hundreds of roses for a beautiful sprawling installation titled the ‘Bloomin’ Yorkshire Rose Garden’ in York Museum Gardens, directly in front of the Yorkshire Museum.

The competition is part of the ongoing Bloomin’ Yorkshire campaign to raise awareness of kidney organ donation after Janice Richardson, founder, survived two failed kidney transplants and total organ failure which led to the establishment of the organisation.

Sandra Currie, chief executive of Kidney Research UK said: “We are delighted to hear the fantastic progress that the Bloomin’ Yorkshire campaign is making, and would like to thank the York Museum Trust for their support. The Bloomin’ Yorkshire Rose Garden is sure to look spectacular against such a stunning backdrop. We are also very excited to hear about all the schools participating in the competition and can’t wait to see the final design.

“Thank you to everyone participating in this very special campaign. With the lives of more than three million people in the UK at risk of Chronic Kidney Disease, our work is more essential than ever. Janice’s own story is testament to how important it is that we find better treatments, and ultimately, cures for kidney diseases.”

Melody Beavers, Yorkshire Museum manager, said: “We are delighted that we’re able to support this project for a very worthwhile cause. Filling the gardens with hundreds of white roses will create a wonderful piece of art in the York Museum Gardens and complement our real floral displays. We are looking forward to seeing the entries submitted, we’re sure it will be a hard task to choose a winner.”

The winning school will receive art equipment to the value of £3,000, an iPad – presented in assembly by a surprise guest, the winning design will be mass produced to create the ‘BloominYorkshire Rose Garden’ and the winner will plant the final rose in the ‘BloominYorkshire Rose Garden’ on 1st August 2018. Second and third prizes will also be awarded.

All entries must be submitted by August 1 2016.

For more information and to register for the competition please click here.