Award winning Dulwich based stores, the dulwich trader, ed and tomlinsons will once again be running their hugely popular Mother’s Day Portrait Competition.

Open to children from Reception to Year 6 at a number of participating local schools, the competition asks children to submit portraits of their mothers or important people in their lives. First run by the dulwich trader over 15 years ago, the competition encourages interaction between local schools, parents and businesses.

The only requirement is that the entries should be bold, bright and beautiful. Last year the competition really captured the imagination of local children and the dulwich trader stores were swamped with well over 400 fantastic entries from 14 local schools, panicking mothers and schools were still dropping off masterpieces well past the deadline.

Once again the judging panel will include award-winning portrait artist and former Dulwich Hamlet student, Julie Bennett (www.juliebennett.co.uk). Julie has been blown away by the creativity, effort, talent and passion on show in previous years. Ranging from poster paint to sculpture and taking in everything between – the range and quality of entries was incredible. Choosing winners is always a very difficult task and we are sure this year will be no different.

Winners of the various categories will each receive a dulwich trader voucher to give to their mother or special person. The winners and runners up and 100’s of selected works will be displayed at the dulwich trader, ed and tomlinsons from Friday 23rd February until Monday 12th March to coincide with Mother’s Day on Sunday 11th March. It’s quite a spectacle! All those that are not displayed will be returned to pupils so that they can give them to their mothers in time for Mother’s Day.

The participating schools at this stage are: Alleyn’s Junior, St Johns & St Clements, DUCKS, Dulwich College Junior School, Harris Primary Academy East Dulwich, Goodrich, Rosemead, Dulwich Hamlet, Heber, Paxton, Oakfield, The Villa and Elmwood.