Brighton Artist Launches National Express’ Art Competition

A Brighton artist is launching a national children’s art competition giving kids the chance to see their designs splashed across the side of a National Express coach.

Professional artist Richard Berner has been chosen again by the UK’s largest coach operator to judge ‘Color the Coach’ in Brighton – a competition that showcases the amazing landmarks people can see up and down the UK by coach on National Express’ unrivaled network of services.

To enter the competition children are being asked to draw their favorite local landmark and Richard, who also judged last year’s Color the Coach competition, kicked off the competition by drawing his own favorite local landmark - the famous West Pier.

The best design, as chosen by Richard, will be turned into a special one-off ‘landmark livery’ to go on a National Express coach, while the winner will also be presented with a £50 check. 

As part of ‘Color the Coach’, National Express is enlisting the help of local artists to launch the competition in regions all over the UK, offering kids the chance to get their designs seen by thousands of people.

Professional artist, Richard, aged 30, whose work ranges from children’s book illustrations to intricate and surreal paintings, takes his inspiration from the people and places of Brighton. His work, which is available online and in local art shops, includes fantastical prints of some of the town’s most famous landmarks.

He said, “I’m really please to launch this fantastic competition in my home city and I can’t wait to see all the creativity and original designs produced by local kids. What a great opportunity to proudly watch your design of your favorite landmark rolling across the region on a moving canvas.”

Giving advice to competition hopefuls, Richard added, “I want kids to put their own original style and stamp on their work so whatever their favorite landmark is, give it your own personal flavor.”

National Express UK Coach Managing Director Tom Stables said, “This competition is a great opportunity for mini-Monets in Brighton to show us their skills and have their masterpiece touring around the country taking pride of place on one of our coaches. We are encouraging all kids to pick up their pens and have a go at Color the Coach.”

The local winner will see their picture boldly displayed on one of the many daily coach services that roll out of Brighton’s Pool Valley station everyday.

‘Color the Coach’ is open to children aged 5-15 and entrants should simply draw their favorite local landmark on an A4 sheet of paper using whatever drawing materials they want.

Entrants have until Wednesday June 15, to unlock their inner Rembrandts and send in an entry to National Express.