Norfolk’s Young Artists Bring their Churches to Life
Over 600 artworks by Norfolk primary schoolchildren go on display at the Crypt Gallery, The Close, Norwich from 15th – 20th June 2026
The Norfolk Churches Trust warmly invites everyone to come and celebrate what the children of Norfolk have achieved. The exhibition runs for one week only, so do take the opportunity to see these wonderful works in person, and perhaps to discover the beautiful setting of the Crypt Gallery for the first time.
Hundreds of artworks created by Norfolk primary school children will go on display in one of the county’s largest-ever celebrations of children’s art. Opening at Norwich’s Crypt Gallery, the exhibition showcases the results of the Norfolk Churches Trust’s 50th Anniversary Primary Schools Art Competition, bringing together outstanding young talent from across Norfolk in a landmark anniversary event.
The competition, which attracted an extraordinary 2,500 entries from primary schools across the county, invited children to draw, paint and capture their local church. The response exceeded all expectations. From the entries received, over 600 artworks have been selected to be displayed in this special exhibition, offering visitors a vivid and often deeply moving portrait of Norfolk’s churches seen through the eyes of the county’s youngest residents.
For many of the children involved, the competition offered a first opportunity to step inside their local church, to look up at the vaulted ceilings, trace the carvings in stone, and begin to understand the extraordinary heritage that these buildings hold within their walls. The results speak for themselves in works of remarkable imagination, observation and creativity that reflect the richness of what the children found.
The competition was open to children across four age categories. Thanks to a generous sponsor and the support of Abacus Creative Resources, winning schools and young artists will receive substantial art equipment prizes. The Norfolk Churches Trust hopes these awards will make a meaningful difference to schools at a time when arts funding is under increasing pressure.
The competition sits at the heart of NCT’s mission: to encourage people of all ages to explore and cherish Norfolk’s extraordinary collection of historic churches, over 650 of them, the greatest concentration of medieval churches anywhere in the world. Inviting children to look at these buildings with fresh eyes is part of that endeavour, and the response from schools, teachers and families across the county has been wonderful.
The finalists’ work was judged by a distinguished panel of celebrity judges: Susie Fowler-Watt, journalist and presenter on BBC Look East; Ben Youngs, England rugby international; and Lauren Hemp, professional footballer and Lioness. NCT is enormously grateful to all three for giving their time and bringing such enthusiasm to the judging process.
A special Prize Presentation Ceremony will take place on Tuesday 17th June at 4pm, when prizes will be presented by the celebrated ceramicist and entrepreneur Dame Emma Bridgewater.
EXHIBITION DETAILS
Exhibition: Norfolk Churches Trust 50th Anniversary Primary Schools Art Competition
Venue: The Crypt Gallery, The Close, Norwich, NR1 4DD
Dates: Monday 15 to Saturday 20 June 2026
Opening Times: 10am-4pm Monday to Friday; 10am-3pm Saturday
Admission: Free
Prize Presentation: Wednesday 17th June, 4pm — prizes presented by Dame Emma Bridgewater
Judges: Susie Fowler-Watt (BBC Look East), Ben Youngs (England Rugby), Lauren Hemp (Lioness)
For details of the Crypt Gallery follow this link.
