2026 Kids’ Design Competition
Entries close Fri 11 Sep at 5pm
Open to young artists aged 17 years and under
Budding young artists aged 17 and under are invited to enter a three dimensional design inspired by this year’s theme Art in Bloom for Canberra Glassworks annual Kids’ Design Competition. The winning design will be brought to life in a public glassmaking demonstration as part of Floriade on Saturday 26 September 2026.
We encourage submissions to consider the glass techniques and materials they might you use. Will it be see-through or opaque, rainbow or clear? Smooth, shiny, bumpy, sparkly, striped, or spotted? Is it a creature, functional object, or sculpture? Hollow or solid?
The winning design will be blown in glass by Annette Blair during a public glassmaking demonstration on Saturday 26 September 2026 at 11am in the Canberra Glassworks Hotshop and displayed in our foyer until the end of Floriade. The artwork will then go home with the winning artist!
Examples of glass techniques
Glass Cane
Long thin glass sticks of solid colour or twirling patterns.
Artwork example
Tom Moore
Party Wizard
2021
Murrine
Bundles of patterned cane rods that reveal intricate designs when cut into cross-sections.
Artwork example
Jenni Kemarre Martinello
Bush Flower Bicornual Banksia and Bottlebrush with Grasses
2021
Transparent glass
See through coloured or clear glass.
Artwork example
Tamara Henderson
Floral Lamp
2025
Glass Cane
Long thin glass sticks of solid colour or twirling patterns.
Artwork example
Ben Edols
Rip Tide
2024
Murrine
Bundles of patterned cane rods that reveal intricate designs when cut into cross-sections.
Artwork example
Tom Rowney
Tesserae Series: Ruby Low Form
2023
Fritt
Small or large crushed coloured glass that make a speckly, spotty or organic colouring in effect
Artwork example
Martyn Thompson
Vessel
2025
Key Dates
Fri 11 Sep 2026 at 5pm
Entries are due to Canberra Glassworks.
Sat 26 Sep 2026 at 11am
Winning design will be made in glass by Annette Blair in a free public demonstration.
Submit your entries to:
- Canberra Glassworks reception
- Via mail at 11 Wentworth Ave Kingston ACT 2604
- Email our Public Progrms Manager at Wendy.Dawes@CanberraGlassworks.com
Subject: ‘Kids Design Competition – your name’
Previous Winning Designs
2022 Winner: Fire Cactus
A creature inspired by
Tom Moore’s ‘FANTASTIC CREATURES’
Designed by Alexander aged 7
“It comes from the land of donuts. It’s name is Fire Cactus. It eats toilet paper. He can see everything with his six eyes.”
Fabricated by Tom Moore
2021 Winner: Bee Vase
A creature inspired by ‘CONNECTIONS’
Designed by Ivy aged 12
“Bees make our planet a better place by pollinating out plants. Where would we be without bees? The vase holds water and water connects to all living things. I put windows on the bee as an indication of living out in nature.”
Fabricated by Annette Blair
2020 Winner: Glasteroptis
A creature inspired by ‘UNBREAKABLE‘
Designed by Isobel aged 10
Fabricated by Simon Maberley
2019 Winner: Alien
A creature inspired by ‘MARBLES‘
Designed by Ella aged 9
Fabricated by Ben Edols
2018 Winner: Dinogon
A creature inspired by ‘BUNYIPS‘
Designed by Samual
Fabricated by Annette Blair
Terms and Conditions
- Eligibility
- Open to all children under 17 years old
- Competition Entry
- Entries must be submitted by the participant, with assistance from a parent/guardian if needed, with all details filled in order to contact the winner.
- Designs must be original and inspired by the “Art in Bloom” theme.
- How to Enter
- VISIT US:
Entries can be submitted at Canberra Glassworks reception. - MAIL:
Entries can be submitted via mail to Canberra Glassworks 11 Wentworth Ave Kingston, ACT 2604, RE: ‘Kids’ Design Competition’ - EMAIL
Entries can be emailed to our Public Programs Manager at Wendy.Dawes@CanberraGlassworks.com
Subject: ‘Kids Design Competition – your name’ - Entries will be accepted all year until Friday 11 September 2026.
- Each participant may submit one entry.
- Selection of Winner
- The winning design will be selected by a panel of judges appointed by the Canberra Glassworks.
- Designs must be original and inspired by the “Art in Bloom” theme.
- Designs that are not feasible to make in glassblowing will not be considered.
- Judges’ decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into.
- Prize Details
- The winning design will be made into a glass artwork during a live public demonstration at Floriade 2026 on Saturday 26 September by glass artist Annette Blair.
- The winning participant will receive the completed glass artwork to keep at the end of the display period.
- Canberra Glassworks are not responsible for any costs associated with attending the demonstration.
- Intellectual Property
- Participants retain copyright of their design.
- By entering, participants and their parent/guardian grant Canberra Glassworks organisers a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to reproduce, display, and promote the design in connection with the competition, Floriade 2026, and associated promotional material.
- Photography & Media
- By entering, participants consent to being photographed, filmed, or recorded during competition activities.
- Images and recordings may be used for promotional, educational, and documentation purposes, in print and digital formats, including websites and social media.
- General Conditions
- Entries that are incomplete, late, or do not comply with these Terms & Conditions may be disqualified.
- Canberra Glassworks organisers reserve the right to modify or cancel the competition if required.
- By entering, participants and their parent/guardian agree to these Terms & Conditions.
- Privacy
- Personal information collected for this competition will be used solely for the purpose of administering the competition and contacting winners.
- Personal information will not be shared with third parties except as necessary to administer the prize.