Budding artists across the New England region are being encouraged to explore the beauty of botany through the UNE Discovery Seeds of Science Art Competition being held in the lead-up to National Science Week.
Organised by the UNE Discovery Voyager team, the competition will celebrate the beauty, complexity, and importance of botany, seeds, and the life that begins beneath the surface.
“Whether through drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, or digital media, we encourage creative interpretations that explore the science, wonder, and diversity of the plant world,” said Rachel de Lastic, UNE Discovery Voyager Project Officer.
“We encourage all interpretations of the theme, including works that reflect our beautiful native seeds, flowers and pollinators, local landscapes, human connections to seeds, and the intricate structures, patterns and textures of seeds.”
Finalists will be selected to be featured in a public exhibition at the UNE Dixson Library, with winners to be announced at the opening night on Friday 21 August from 7pm.
The works will be on show until 20 September 2026.
“The exhibition is just one of the exciting activations UNE Discovery will be running as part of National Science Week in August, with other highlights including pop-up stalls at local markets and shopping centres, a trivia night at the Welder’s Dog Brewery, and a spotlighting event at the Blue Hole near Armidale,” said Rachel.
Read more about the Seeds of Science Art Competition here, and find out all the details about the UNE Discovery National Science Week events here.
Art Competition Key Details:
Categories: Junior (K-Yr 6), Secondary (Yr 7-12)and Open (18 and above)
Theme: Seeds of Science
Sizes and mediums: 2D artworks must be submitted no smaller than A5 (148mm x 210mm) and no larger than A2 (420mm x 594mm). Artwork mediums of drawing, painting, printing, collage or textiles are welcome (eg. watercolour, oils, acrylic, charcoal, pencil, ink, graphite, pastels, chalk, collage or textiles). Sculpture is accepted, and digital artists are also encouraged to enter.
Cost: No entry fee.
Deadline for entries: Complete and sign the online entry form with your details, the artwork title, and up to six good quality photos of the artwork before 19 July 2026, 6:00pm.
Prizes: Each category will have prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, as well as a People’s Choice award for each category.
Opening Night: 21 August at Dixson Library, 7 - 9 pm. Attendees will be able to vote for the People’s Choice Award.
