Deadline approaching for Cheltenham prize

The deadline for entries to the acclaimed Cheltenham Illustration Awards is fast approaching so we thought we'd give you a little reminder to get your thinking caps on...

Hosted by the University of Gloucestershire, which is famed for its excellent illustration department, the event will invite student artists and up-and-coming illustrators to submit entries on this year’s theme of ‘Tree Time Tales’, with an emphasis on narrative illustration.

Prizes include £1,500 cash and an Apple iMac computer, with the judges including popular newspaper illustrator Steven Appleby. The "tree" theme coincides with UN International Year of Forests 2011 and Westonbirt Arboretum will be offering a ten-year membership as an extra theme.

Entries are to be received on a CD or as a jpeg by email, although any media may be used to create the images. For more information, or to download an application form you can visit www.cheltenham-illustration-awards.com. An entry fee of £12.50 per entry applies, with a maximum of five entries per person. Get your entries to them no later than 16 May 2011.

Pictured is an illustration by Jamie Mills, who won first prize in the student category last year on the theme of ‘Travellers’ Tales’.

UPDATE! The deadline has been extended for another week - you can enter up until 23 May 2011 now.