Love
Love turns coexistence into harmony and transforms ordinary moments into meaningful connections.
Drawing Competition 2026
Art of Living Together
This year's theme is Love: a creative invitation for children across Ireland to express kindness, respect, friendship, empathy, equality, and solidarity through drawing.
About the Competition
A creative invitation to young artists
About the "Art of Living Together" Drawing Competition
The "Art of Living Together" Drawing Competition is an annual national art initiative organised by Éire Dialogue, created to inspire children across Ireland to explore the values that help build stronger and more inclusive communities.
Each year, the competition focuses on a different theme connected to the principles of living together, encouraging young people to express their thoughts, feelings, and hopes through creativity and imagination.
Through art, children are given a voice to share their understanding of important human values such as kindness, respect, friendship, empathy, equality, and solidarity.
The competition aims not only to celebrate artistic talent, but also to encourage conversations among children, families, schools, and communities about how we can create a society where everyone feels respected, welcomed, and valued.
Together, through art and dialogue, we celebrate the beauty of living together.
Current Theme
This year's theme is "Love"
Love is the invisible thread that connects people beyond all differences. It is not only a feeling; it is an action, a choice to care, to listen, and to understand.
Why It Matters
Love helps us respect differences, forgive mistakes, build trust, and create safe spaces where everyone feels valued.
Related Values
Love grows with empathy, respect, kindness, solidarity, patience, sharing, support, and belief in diversity.
Your Vision
Students are invited to show what love means to them through friendship, family, community, nature, peace, or humanity.
Categories
Who can enter?
The competition is open to students in Ireland. Students under 18 must have parent or guardian consent before submission. Each category will have 10 finalists.
Junior
For students in 1st to 3rd class.
Finalist Opportunity
You could be one of 10 Junior finalists selected for this category.
Senior
For students in 4th to 6th class.
Finalist Opportunity
You could be one of 10 Senior finalists selected for this category.
Prizes
Recognition for creativity and care
First Place
Minimum EUR 100 of gifts for the first place winner in each category.
Second Place
Minimum EUR 75 of gifts for the second place winner in each category.
Third Place
Minimum EUR 50 of gifts for the third place winner in each category.
Finalists
Each category will have 10 finalists, with awards presented at the Grand Award Ceremony on 5 December 2026.
How to Participate
Registration and artwork posting open together
- Register individually or as a class before 30 October 2026.
- Send the original drawing by post between 21 September and 30 October 2026.
- Create an original drawing on a white A4 sheet, guided by the theme of Love and living together.
- Use accepted materials: painting, markers, pencil, coloured pencils, or pastels.
- Post drawings to: Motorcity, Kylemore Rd, Inchicore, Dublin 12, D12 TFR7 / Éire Dialogue.
Competition Rules
Artwork requirements
Eligibility
- Participation is free of charge.
- Students under 18 must have written parent or guardian consent.
- Schools submitting entries confirm that consent has been obtained.
Judging Criteria
- Respect for the theme: Love and living together.
- Creativity and originality.
- Artistic quality, effort, composition, and use of materials.
Accepted Artwork
- Artwork on a white A4 sheet.
- Paint, markers, pencil, coloured pencils, and pastels.
- Original artwork created by the student and sent by post during the open submission period.
Not accepted
- Digital artwork, printed images, collage, or AI-generated content.
- Writing on the front of the artwork.
- Glued elements on the front of the artwork.
Submission Details
Registration is open now and closes on 30 October 2026. Postal artwork submission runs from 21 September to 30 October 2026. Drawings should be sent to: Motorcity, Kylemore Rd, Inchicore, Dublin 12, D12 TFR7 / Éire Dialogue.
Timeline
Important dates
21 September-30 October 2026
Artwork posting period. Registration remains open until 30 October 2026.
31 October-15 November 2026
Evaluation and finalist selection.
5 December 2026
Grand Award Ceremony.
Jury
Judging panel
All drawings will be reviewed by the organising team during the evaluation and finalist selection period from 31 October to 15 November 2026.
The strongest works will then be considered by the jury, with 10 finalists selected from each category.
Artwork will be reviewed for connection to the theme, creativity, originality, effort, composition, and age-appropriate artistic expression.
Gallery
Artwork inspiration
These illustrations reflect the spirit of the competition: love, empathy, creativity, and the shared life of communities across Ireland.
Registration
Official registration form
Registration is open now and closes on 30 October 2026. Artwork should be sent by post after online registration.
Use the official Google Form to complete registration before sending the original drawing by post.
Postal address: Motorcity, Kylemore Rd, Inchicore, Dublin 12, D12 TFR7 / Éire Dialogue
Please complete the Google Form before posting the original drawing.
Privacy and Consent
Data protection and consent
Personal data will be processed in accordance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR - Regulation (EU) 2016/679) and the Irish Data Protection Act 2018.
Data collected will be used to administer the competition, contact participants or schools, announce results, and communicate about the competition. Children's full names will not be published online without explicit parental consent.
Copyright remains with the student. By entering, participants grant the organiser a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to reproduce, publish, display, and use the artwork for educational, promotional, exhibition, website, social media, printed, and non-commercial purposes.
Organiser
About the Organiser
About the Organiser
Éire Dialogue
Éire Dialogue is a community-focused organisation committed to promoting understanding, respect, inclusion, and positive connections between people from all backgrounds.
We believe that strong communities are built through dialogue, empathy, and shared values. By creating opportunities for people to come together, learn from one another, and celebrate diversity, we aim to contribute to a more connected, respectful, and harmonious society in Ireland.
For more information about Éire Dialogue, its activities, projects, and community initiatives, please visit our official website: