FAI International Aviation Art Contest (Young Artists Contest)

FAI’s Young Artists Contest connects handmade art with themes around air sports. That combination gives an aviation enthusiast something different to do with their interest: imagine the human experience of flight and make it readable in a picture. CompeteMap sees particular value in the space between an accurate aircraft drawing and an expressive scene. An aeroplane can be carefully observed, but the surrounding composition still needs a point of view. Who is looking up? What draws their attention? Where does the eye travel? Those questions make this an art project with an aviation subject, rather than a technical drawing exercise with decoration added afterwards. Our view is that this suits a child who enjoys making up scenes and is willing to develop an idea through several attempts. The challenge is keeping a lively subject coherent: filling the sky with objects is easier than giving a viewer a clear visual journey. Families should also be comfortable allowing the child’s own decisions to remain visible. An adult can help organise materials and ask what a picture communicates, but correcting every awkward shape can remove the character that makes the work interesting. The useful outcome is a more considered picture and a better understanding of composition, regardless of selection. Read the current theme before beginning, then let the child decide which part of that invitation makes them want to draw.