National Fossil Art Contest – “Irish Fossils ALIVE”.

My name is Will Richardson and I am part of Ireland’s Fossil Heritage team, based at University College Cork.

I am messaging this community page as we have officially launched this year’s National Fossil Art Contest and I’m excited to share info about it with you. Last year’s contest was hugely popular and we hope to have lots of exciting entries again this year. The theme of the contest is “Irish Fossils ALIVE”.

We are inviting young artists to create a unique art piece inspired by the rich fossil heritage on the island of Ireland and have prepared a list of some of the most famous Irish fossils on our website for inspiration. Entrants do not need any prior knowledge of fossils to enter, they can simply review our website for inspiration and let their imaginations run wild!

Prizes will be awarded in four age categories:

under 8 years,

9 –12 years,

13 – 15 years,

and 16 – 18 years.

The overall winner of the contest will win a once-in-a-lifetime experience of a day out fossil hunting with palaeontologists from UCC with lots of other fossil-themed prizes to be won.

The closing date for submissions is 5 pm on Friday 31st of March 2023 and the top selected entries will be invited to display their art pieces at a public exhibition at the Glucksman art gallery in Cork in June 2023. Further details on how to enter can be found on our Fossil Art page of the website.

I am happy to answer any questions you might have, follow us on our page at: https://www.facebook.com/IrelandFossilHeritage

Will
Research Assistant, University College Cork (School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences)

Ireland’s Fossil Heritage: https://www.ucc.ie/en/fossil-heritage/
Irish Fossils Gallery: https://www.ucc.ie/en/fossil-heritage/irishfossils/
Fossil Art Page: https://www.ucc.ie/en/fossil-heritage/fossilart/