Welcome to the Fire & Flourish Lantern Project. This exciting competition invites primary and secondary students to create bright, colourful artwork that will be illuminated inside hanging lanterns and displayed at Brisbane Festival. This guidebook provides all the details you need to participate.
Fire & Flourish
This theme explores the powerful duality of fire both as a force of destruction and as a vital element in the cycle of renewal, and as a symbol of ceremony, ritual, a medium of communication, and a tool for managing and caring for Country, Fire & Flourish allows for the exploration of the cultural and spiritual significance of fire for First Nations people.
Through this project, we’d like to honour these cultural connections to fire, while celebrating its role in growth and rebirth. The garden aspect of the theme brings in ideas of nature, harmony, and new beginnings, while imagery of rebirth surfaces concepts of plants or flowers emerging from the warmth and sunlight. Your challenge is to capture this relationship in a vibrant artwork that will glow when placed inside a lantern.
Technical & Creative Specifications
To ensure your artwork is suitable for illumination, please follow these guidelines:
Paper & Layout
- Use A4-sized paper in portrait orientation.
- Choose a light-coloured background, such as white or cream.
- If painting a background, use a very pale colour (e.g. light yellow) to enhance the contrast.
Colours & Design
- Use bright and bold paint colours for the artwork.
- Keep details simple and clear—avoid tiny, intricate patterns.
- Strong lines and shapes will create the best visual impact.
- Leave some areas white or pale to enhance contrast when illuminated.
Testing Your Artwork
- Hold your design up to a sunny window to see how the light shines through.
- Adjust your colours and details if necessary to make the artwork more striking.
Submission Guidelines
- Artwork should be flat and unframed.
- Ensure your name, age, school name and title of artwork are enclosed when submitting your artwork.
- Submit your entry by Friday 18 July 2025 through one of two methods:
- Via the online form. Note that the artwork should be in PDF format and no less than 300dpi.
- Via post to Brisbane Festival’s PO box: PO Box 384, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006.
If submitted via post, please provide the following details: Artist name, Best email contact, age of applicant, and school name (if applicable).
Judging Criteria
Artworks will be shortlisted by Brisbane Festival based on the suitability of the submitted artwork, including correct size, format, and contrast. Shortlisted artworks will then be judged by Brisbane-based visual artist Sam Harrison.
Submissions will be assessed based on:
- Creativity and originality in representing the theme Fire & Flourish.
- Use of bold and bright colours.
- Effectiveness when illuminated.
- Overall composition and clarity.
Awards & Recognition
Winning entries will be featured in a Brisbane Festival art installation during September 2025 and winning artists will receive a free family pass to attend the installation. All submitted entries will feature as part of an online gallery on the Brisbane Festival website. Further details on the installation will be released on Wednesday 11 June via the Brisbane Festival website.
Workshops
Want to level up your artwork submission?
Join visual artist Sam Harrison for a free Fire & Flourish workshop, where you’ll create your own unique artwork inspired by the powerful connection between fire, plants, and the land. Sam will share First Nations stories about fire, and the environment, offering meaningful insights to spark your imagination. He’ll also be there to guide you with creative tips from his own artistic practice. This workshop is open to all primary and middle school students.
The Grand Room, New Farm Community Centre, 967 Brunswick St, New Farm QLD 4005
12:30pm Saturday 31 May | 2:30pm Saturday 31 May
All artistic materials will be supplied. Parent supervision is required. Register via the online form to attend a free workshop.
Get Inspired & Have Fun!
We encourage all participants to explore Fire & Flourish and let their imagination shine! We look forward to seeing your brilliant designs light up our lanterns.
