English Heritage Launches Viking Shield Design Competition

 Calling all young budding artists – Whitby Abbey needs you! English Heritage is on the look out for the next Tracy Emin or Damien Hurst to design 9th century artwork.

Local primary and secondary schools are being invited to design Viking shields to be used as markers for the Viking trail to launch this summer at Whitby Abbey. Eight markers in total will carry the secret message, which people will have to decode.

“This is a fantastic and fun initiative for schools ‘or indeed individuals’ to be involved in,” says English Heritage’s regional marketing manager, Nicola Bexon. “Not only does it give children the chance to showcase their creative abilities but also people all over the world will see their work as the trail will run throughout the summer months.”

English Heritage has designed an A4 template which will be sent to participants and can also be downloaded. Entrants are encouraged to get as creative as possible and those who come up with the best designs will win a year’s free pass to English Heritage sites across Yorkshire.

COMPETITION NOW CLOSED

The winning designs announced in early July, will be made up onto wooden circles and mounted on a stake, along with a runic name plaque that carries the secret message.

The event is supported by the North Sea Trails Initiative, which is partly funded by the EU through the Interreg IIIB North Sea Programme.