A pair of stunning wildlife-themed artworks have been unveiled at two Leicester primary schools after pupils won the top prizes  in Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust’s 2021 Wild Art Competition.

Entrants to the competition, which was open to all Leicester primary school pupils, were challenged to  create a piece of art that showed off the UK’s wonderful wildlife.

First prize went to Yasmine Mohammed, a Year 6 pupil at Queensmead Primary Academy, for her eye-level encounter for a squirrel. Graffwerk street artist Wing Lo spent three days creating a vibrant spraypaint mural on a wall at the school in August.

The piece features animals chosen by pupils - a fox, ladybird, deer, bee and hedgehog. A timelapse video now available on the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust YouTube Channel and at www.wildforestschool.org.uk/wild-art shows how the mural was created.

Second prize went to Neva Zaman, a Year 6 pupil at Evington Valley Primary School, for her bold raven. Chainsaw sculptor Peter Leadbeater created a raven of his own, which was unveiled in the grounds of the school at the end of October.

Both winners also received a set of art materials. Third place went to Abidah Hossain, age five, from Medway Community Primary School, and the judges were so impressed with the quality of entries that they also selected four ‘Commended’ pieces.

Rebecca Catlow, Yasmine’s teacher at Queensmead Primary Academy, said: “We are blown away by the fantastic mural that Yasmine won for the school with her brilliant drawing. We asked the children to pick their favourite animals and Wing has done a fantastic job bringing them to life.

Izzy Hoskins of Graffwerk, the team behind Leicester’s Bring the Paint Festival, said: “It's been great seeing the participation from the schools in this project. We hope Yasmin is pleased with the artwork we delivered and that this will inspire more children to enjoy both art and nature.”

Jamie Perry, Head of Engagement for Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust, sat on the judging panel. He said: “We are so pleased to have been able to give these amazing prizes to the winners of our Wild Art Competition. Wing Lo’s mural at Queensmead Primary Academy is simply stunning and the raven at Evington Primary School is a striking sculpture.  We hope that they inspire pupils to develop a love for UK wildlife and show off their own creative talents.

“We would like to thank the players of People’s Postcode Lottery who made this competition possible through their support for our Wild Forest School project.”

Visit the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust YouTube Channel and www.wildforestschool.org.uk/wild-art to see the timelapse video of the mural at Queensmead Primary Academy, as well as an exhibition of all the Wild Art Competition entries.