For young creatives aged 7–16
Do you love messing about on the river?
- dipping your toes in the water?
- wild swimming?
- splashing in the water?
- watching the leaves on the river’s surface?
- exploring for river wildlife, including dragonflies, frogs, otters, herons and kingfishers?
- river tubing, canoeing or paddleboarding?
- going for nature walks?
- playing Poohsticks?
- walking along the riverbank?
- making a mini raft from twigs?
- watching the sunshine glimmering on the water?
If so, and if you are between 7–16, then enter Transition Bath’s River Avon Art Competition, which is being organised in collaboration with the Wild Waters Festival from 31 May – 15 June 2025. Use your creativity to create a campaign poster to explain the joy of rivers; celebrate the animals, birds, insects and fish that live in and near them; and show why we need to keep them healthy.
The Creative Challenge
Using a medium of your choice – from paint and crayons to printing, mixed media and digital artwork – design and create a campaign poster using an A4 or A3 format in either a portrait or landscape orientation that shows one or more of the following:
- Why rivers (and the River Avon) are inspiring places to spend time
- The fish, mammals, insects and birds that inhabit and frequent our rivers
- The things you love to do on the river
- Why it’s important to take care of our rivers to keep them healthy
Your poster should include bold artwork and either an inspiring quote, or a clear message or call to action, like:
RIVERS KNOW THIS: THERE IS NO HURRY. WE SHALL GET THERE SOME DAY.
(AA Milne)
PROTECT THE RIVER AVON!
The artwork should include a river or detail of a river in some form.
When creating your artwork, you might think about the creatures and places that make up a river and its surroundings. Also about how the river can be fun and can be explored by you, your friends and your neighbours. Consider how important your connection to the river is, and what you might do to take better care of it now, and in the future.
You might care about river health because you are naturally curious about the world around you.
You might care about a river because of its importance in providing clean drinking water, transportation, recreation and learning about nature.
Use your art to speak up for our rivers, and especially for the River Avon – make it eye-catching and inspiring!
Age Categories & Prizes
Ages 7–11 and Ages 12–16
Qualifying entrants need to be the age specified on 30 August 2025, and need to be from the B&NES, Bristol or Wiltshire regions.
Prizes will be awarded in each age group. Both category winners will receive £50 and a river book. All shortlisted submissions will receive a River Avon badge.
Winning and selected shortlisted poster artworks will be featured on the Transition Bath website and may be included in local exhibitions, shared online, or displayed in public spaces.
How to Enter
- Create your poster artwork (A4 or A3)
- Take a clear photo or scan of your artwork
- Email it to: water@transitionbath.org – Make the subject of the email RIVER AVON ART COMPETITION and in the email include your name, your age, your school, and a short sentence explaining the idea behind your artwork poster.
Deadline for receipt of entries: Wednesday 11 June 2025
Judging will take place during the Wild Waters Festival from 31 May–15 June, when the winners will also be announced.
Think About Why Rivers are Important
Rivers are often close to where people live and play, creating a community, and providing water for drinking, transportation and recreation.
Rivers are an important part of the water cycle, flowing freely to transfer water to the ocean and influencing the weather.
Rivers are homes to many kinds of plants and fish, animals, insects and birds, and a healthy river means healthy ecosystems for these creatures.
You can explore rivers, paddling, swimming, fishing, or boating. You can also look for habitats and use rocks, wood and sand for building homes for creatures and wildlife.
Rivers show the impact of human activities. Healthy rivers have green banks, trees and plants to stop soil from being washed away. They need nutrients, but not too many to stay in balance.
River health is often closely connected to how a community works and will benefit from children and families learning about the river and joining in with activities to care for their rivers.
Rivers are also vital for understanding local history, science and the well-being of the environment.
Rivers give you a sense of wonder and of the awe-inspring beauty of nature, and caring for them ensures they can be enjoyed now and in the future.
Let your art be the voice of the River Avon. Be creative. Be bold. Be a River Avon Hero!