Budding artists from across Wolverhampton have the chance to get their work displayed in the city’s art gallery in a new competition to create a portrait of the Queen.

City of Wolverhampton Council has launched the contest today (FRI APR 7) as part of the city’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations marking 70 years since Her Majesty became the monarch.

The competition is open to all ages and portraits can be drawn, painted or even created digitally – the only criteria is that they must feature the Queen, be the entrant’s own work, the entrant must live in Wolverhampton and portraits must be no bigger than A3 in size.

There are four categories: children under 7 years, children aged 7 to 11, children aged 12 to 18 years and adults.

Entries need to be submitted by 4pm on Friday May 31. They will be judged by a panel including the Mayor of Wolverhampton, local radio personality Dicky Dodd and representatives from the West Midlands Lieutenancy, the city’s youth council and a local artist.

The winners will see their work given pride of place on display in an exhibition at Wolverhampton Art Gallery. They will also get to have afternoon tea with the Mayor and win a goody bag of jubilee-themed gifts.

Ian Fegan, City of Wolverhampton Council’s director of communications and visitor experience, said: “The Queen has made history by becoming the first British monarch to reign for 70 years and we want the people of the city to get involved in this momentous occasion for our nation.

“There is so much artistic talent out there in our communities and we want to give people a chance to show off their skills and get the opportunity to have their work displayed in our city’s beautiful art gallery if they win the competition.

“This competition is open to everyone, whatever your ability level, we want you to get creative, use your imagination and send us your best portrait of the Queen. It might be based on one of the many iconic moments from Her Majesty’s reign, her visits to Wolverhampton over the years or it could be something your imagination has come up which represents what the Queen means to you, the country, the Commonwealth and the world.”

Entrants must include their full name, age and postal address as well as either a phone number or email address with their submission.

Digital entries can be emailed to: mayoral@wolverhampton.gov.uk, alternatively, entries can be posted to: 

The Mayor’s Office 

The Civic Centre 

St. Peter’s Square  

Wolverhampton  

WV1 1RL 

Or hand delivered to: 

Business Reception 

Civic Centre 

Wulfruna Street 

Wolverhampton  

Wv1 1RL