During #HeathWeek, 28th July to 3rd August, we brought our nature inspired art competition back for 2025. Our theme for this year was HEATHLAND THREADS, a t-shirt design competition.

We invited artists, designers, and nature enthusiasts of all ages to create a unique t-shirt design inspired by the stunning landscapes, incredible wildlife, and unique plants found on the heath. Think purple heather, golden gorse, darting lizards, buzzing bees, or the sweeping open skies!

The competition gave those entering the chance to showcase their talent to the community and see their artwork potentially worn by others. All while celebrating the beauty of our precious heathland and it’s wildlife and helping raise funds for the conservation of amphibians and reptiles in the UK. Plus there were some great prizes up for grabs!

This year’s competition was judged by ARC Head Office staff and two expert guest judges.

Nicola Kulesza

Nicola is a Derbyshire-based illustrator with a background in zoo biology. She began her career working as a wildlife tour guide for a small expedition company, where she developed a deep understanding of animal behaviour and conservation. Today, Nicola brings that knowledge into her artwork, specialising in wildlife illustration and children’s books. Her work combines scientific accuracy with warmth and imagination, aiming to spark curiosity and a love for the natural world.

"I was so impressed by the entries this year, it was a very difficult decision to only pick three as they were all such fantastic pieces, that represented the heathland habitat and brief very well.

The variety of different artists techniques used for the entries was amazing to see, and I was pleased to see a variety of digital entries alongside the more traditional ones too.

Each artist had their own stories and interpretations of the same heathland habitat which is so exciting to see! "

Charlotte Fawkes, the winner of the ARC Heathland Art Competition 2024

Charlotte is a self-taught artist, based in Mid Wales. She has used a variety of media over the years, from watercolour and acrylics to graphite and pastels, aiming to showcase the beauty of the natural world through her artwork. Charlotte has supported many charities and other wildlife organisations through donations of her artwork. A keen wildlife photographer, she also captures many of her own reference images for use in her work.

"The artworks submitted were of great quality, making this decision very difficult! It is clear that all of the artists had put a lot of time and effort into their entries, ensuring they complimented the 't-shirt design' theme. The artist's statements also displayed a wide understanding of heathland habitats, the species they support and the threats they endure, several artists shared fond memories and experiences of heathlands and are working towards securing the future of this dwindling habitat."

Judging criteria was based on not only the skill of the artwork, but the originality and how well artists conveyed their meaning of the heath’s importance in both the art and the statement. 

And the winners are...

1st Place: Elsa Ferneyhough

Comments from the judges:

"I am always in awe of those that dedicate such time and precision to lino print techniques. To see the individual strokes of the gouges adds such character and distinctive uniqueness to the pieces.

The attention to detail on each species and their surrounding botany is impressive, with the distinctive features of the heathland plants immediately distinguishable.  

The compositions are very well put together with each piece feeling well balanced ; the Nightjar piece in particular with the spikes of the gorse alongside the smooth lines of the nightjars feathers and plumage create a stunning contrast." 

*****

"Elsa's prints incorporate a range of different flora and fauna, showcasing the diversity and importance of heathlands using species that are all too often overlooked. The quality of the prints and their versatility as a t-shirt design stood out to me initially, they are very well crafted and it would definitely be something I would wear! The artist's statement conveys a deep connection with heathlands, from childhood memories to a career in protecting a habitat crucial to the continuation of so many species, and was a pleasure to read."

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2nd Place: Katie Bolton

Comments from the judges:

"As a digital artist myself Katie's piece really gave me that initial ‘wow’ factor! The artist shows a phenomenal knowledge on their chosen media with use of lighting, colour theory, brushes and textures. The use of different brushes creates some wonderful graphic movement on the piece, especially on the foreground flowers and sky. The artists use of complementary colour makes the image a real feast for the eyes, with the purples on the heather and orange of the setting sun contrasting particularly well! "

*****

"The beautiful colours and composition of Katie's artwork drew my attention. The loose, textured style of painting and bright focal point highlights the Adder and the importance of the heathland it inhabits, and depicts an incredible behaviour that very few will have witnessed. Katie's statement expresses a passion for the Adder and presents it as a key species of our heathlands."

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Joint 3rd Place: Summer Ward	Joint 3rd Place: Jackie Curtis
Comments from the judges: "The colourful sand lizard illustration and bold text make a great t-shirt design, highlighting one of our rarest reptiles. It is clear that Summer understood the brief and put a lot of thought into the design. The artist's statement details the importance of reptiles in the ecosystem and the role humans have in both destroying and protecting heathlands and other important habitats."	Comments from the judges: "I love Jackie’s use of real bracken to create the mono print of the heathland, it gives anyone who has never been to one a real feel for how special and unique they are.  The use of different textures and materials in the print add lots of interest to the piece, and the drop shadows give a fantastic feel of depth. I particularly like the use of the bracken and different foliage on the yellow foreground to add another layer of interest, which contrasts really well with the smooth white pebbles in the foreground layer. "

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Special mentions

A few more of the amazing designs entered into this year's competition!

Mad Toad Society	Jennifer Poole	Ben Wilkie

We would like to thank all participants for letting us see not only their incredible art and creativity, but also for giving us a glimpse into their passion for this rare habitat and the species that thrive in it. The winners' entries will be published in ARC's exclusive member's magazine, ARC Eye. We would also like to thank our guest judges for their time. 

Keep an eye on the ARC Teemill clothing store for these and other beautiful t-shirt designs coming soon!