Young Ipswich artists invited to follow in Constable's footsteps

Why it matters: Ipswich Central and Harvest Moon café on St Peter's Street have launched free Constable 250 activities to mark the town's link to Suffolk artist John Constable, whose work is on display at Christchurch Mansion until 4 October 2026.

The details: The initiative, produced by Flynn Squirrell, owner and manager of Harvest Moon, has two parts:

• The Saints sticker hunt and art trail – Families can collect a trail sheet from Harvest Moon and visit six businesses across St Peter's Street and St Nicholas' Street to find and collect stickers. The sheet also includes a wordsearch and two observation questions. Children who complete the trail receive a free Constable 250 badge, donated by the Ipswich Museums team at Christchurch Mansion.
• The Young Artist drawing competition – Children can enter a Constable-inspired landscape drawing competition, with one entry allowed per child. Entry sheets are available from five participating venues: Harvest Moon (St Peter's Street), Ipswich County Library (Northgate Street), The Hold – Suffolk Archives (near Ipswich Waterfront), Bishops Café and Tea Rooms (inside Holywells Park), and Christchurch Mansion.

What's next: Entries close on 4 October 2026, the day The Hay Wain leaves Ipswich and returns to London. There are three age categories – six and under, seven to 12, and 13 and over – with a goodie bag prize for a winner in each.

All entries will be collected on 5 October 2026, ahead of judging by a panel of independent judges. The three winning "masterpieces" will go on public display inside Harvest Moon. Winners will be notified and presented with their prizes during half-term week at the end of October 2026.

What they're saying: Melanie Willis, communications manager at Ipswich Central, said: "When Flynn at Harvest Moon came to us with the idea for a trail around local businesses for families with young children, inspired by Constable, we thought this was a lovely family activity to support in the town centre.

"The young artist colouring competition alongside it uses The Hay Wain as inspiration for new landscape paintings by the next generation of local artists, ahead of the Contemporary Constable exhibition in Christchurch Mansion this autumn/winter."

Flynn Squirrell, owner and manager of Harvest Moon, said: "It's been great working with Ipswich Central to bring The Saints sticker hunt and art trail idea to life as a free community activity for parents with young children.

"As a small independent business in a historic part of the town, activities like this are a simple yet effective way of encouraging new visitors into town and for businesses to engage with potential new customers in a fun, family-friendly way. We look forward to seeing youngsters pop in for trail cards and paint their own landscapes inspired by Constable."

The bottom line: While The Hay Wain remains in Ipswich, the free trail and competition offer families a new way to explore the town centre, and give young local artists a chance to be inspired by one of Britain's most famous landscape painters.

Trail sheets and competition entry forms are available now from Harvest Moon in St Peter's Street.

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