FARNHAM residents were once again treated to a feast of colour at the Long Kiln Gallery of the Farnham Maltings between July 17 and 20, where entries for Farnham in Bloom’s third annual collage competition were on display.

The competition, which is run by Blooming Art CIC, a not for profit company set up by local artist Jo Aylwin to run community art projects, was funded by The South Street Trust, as part of the Farnham in Bloom initiative.

Anyone who lives in or around Farnham is invited to make a piece of collage art to celebrate Farnham in Bloom.

The art can be two or three dimensional, and of any size, with the proviso this year that it should be made as far as possible from recycled materials and be inspired by the theme of ‘cycle’.

Around 40 entries from individuals and groups were submitted in mid-June, the competition culminating in a display of energetic original art, high in calibre and varied in its creative expression.

The competition’s theme was interpreted in the literal sense and more broadly, with models and pictures of human, animal and plant life cycles, solar and lunar images, wheels, vibrant abstract designs and of course bicycles, all bursting with the fun and enjoyment that collage inherently gives to its subjects.

Mixed media collage pictures, theatrical friezes, exquisite textile work and moving models were amongst the genres of art on display, with participating artists using everything from bicycles, wheels, wood, wool and plastics down to paint and paper, beads, bobbles and glitter to construct their pieces.

With Farnham as no exception to the growing national obsession with cycling and recycling, this was an appropriate theme for a wonderful celebration of local talent, one which promises to be of growing annual interest.

After the entries were judged, congratulations went to winners Ayla Belford Barrault, Kara Toop, Freya Davis and Alfie Griffiths, as well as to everyone who submitted work, which in Jo’s words “was outstanding”.

Also, many thanks were given to Jo herself from devotees of the competition for her organisation, vision and commitment.

Anyone interested in participating in next year’s collage competition or in visiting the exhibition should email [email protected] and keep an eye on Blooming Art’s website www.bloomingart.org for other upcoming projects.

Jo Aylwin’s Bloomin’ Art initiative was also behind Farnham’s Otter Wey project earlier this year.