CU Art Competition 2025 Launched

The competition invites people from all walks of life to express themselves through creativity, with this year’s theme asking them to reflect on “The Future is…”.

This year’s theme encourages artists to look ahead with imagination, hope and curiosity. Participants might explore personal dreams and milestones, a better world for the next generation, or how change and progress might shape our lives and communities. Whether bold and futuristic or thoughtful and personal, the theme offers endless possibilities for creative interpretation.

(There is no need for artists to illustrate the text of the theme on the art piece. We wish to see how they interpret the theme through their art)

The competition is free to enter and there are no age limits. It is open to children aged 7 and under right through to 18 years and over (Ages as at 31st December 2025). There is also an Additional Needs Category which encourages participants with physical or intellectual disabilities to submit entries in free expression without the restriction of the competition’s official theme if they wish. This category also allows for group entries. All group entries will be judged together – while no age categories apply.

This competition requires entrants to draw or paint posters using pencil, charcoal, pen or ink, felt tip marker, crayon, pastel, water colours, gouache, acrylics, oils, poster colour or collage.

To be considered for judging at any level, entries must follow the below briefs:

• All entries must be submitted in either A3 (420 x 297mm) or A2 (594 x 420mm) and landscape orientation. Portrait oriented entries will be disqualified from adjudication.
• Name, address, month and year of birth and other details (where applicable) must be clearly printed on the entry form and then attached to the back of the entry. Any entries bearing incomplete entry forms may not be considered.
• The entry can be drawn or painted in pencil, charcoal, pen or ink, felt-tip markers, crayon, pastel, water colours, gouache, acrylics, oils, poster colour or collage. Prints done from a lino block, wood block or any other method may also be submitted. No computer aided design (CAD) may be entered. No pieces of art under glass, as we cannot be responsible for same.

We only accept local entries (Portadown area), please check with your local Credit Union to see if they are participating! If less than five entries are received in any one category, credit unions have the option not to judge that category. 

All entry forms must have a full name, date of birth, address (this can be the school’s address) and signature from a teacher/parent/guardian (if under the age of 18) to be considered for judging. We would ask for entrants to refrain from putting names on the front or within the artwork.

All entries must be handed into Portadown Credit Union (26 Market street) by Friday 17th October at 5pm.

Download an entry form here.

Copies of entry forms can be found in office and will be sent to all local schools.

Please see below images of completed valid forms from previous years.

There are prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each age category. First place winners in each category are passed to Chapter for adjudication at a regional stage (further prizes for regional winners) before the winners are forwarded to the Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) for the National judging stage.

Good luck to all who are entering. We look forward to seeing all the local talent again this year!

Portadown Credit Union- Your local lender of choice