ARTISTS of all ages are being invited to express their passion for Worcester in a competition, in memory of a lawyer who was a passionate supporter of the arts for many years before his untimely death in February.

The Sam Driver White Memorial Art Competition will include an exhibition of the artists’ work in the Guildhall, and the winners across four categories will each receive £250 for their chosen charity – their work will then be displayed in the conference rooms of competition sponsors Harrison Clark Rickerbys. Mr Driver White was the firm’s senior partner until 2003.

The competition was officially launched at the firm’s celebration of its move into new premises at Cathedral Square on Thursday, and the closing date is Friday, October 27, at 5pm. Entries should be submitted at the firm’s offices at 5 Deansway.

Entries in four age groups (10 years and under, 11-15 years, 16-20 years and 21 years and above) can be paintings or drawings, photographs or mixed media works on the theme 'Worcester is my passion'.

Each entry should focus on one of the four categories: Buildings, Landscapes, People and A Local Event

Each entry must be accompanied by an entry form which is available online at hcrlaw.com or from the firm’s office. The form should include contact details for the entrant and information about the artwork. Entrants need to complete the sentence “Worcester is my passion because…”

Jonathan Brew, the firm’s senior partner, said: “As we expand, we want to ensure that our commitment to Worcester is reflected in our offices in the city.

"There is a wealth of artistic talent in the county and Sam Driver White was a lifelong supporter of local artists – he would have been delighted to see their work showcased within the firm.”

The entries will be judged by a panel comprising of Georgina Terry, head of art at the King’s School Worcester, Mr Brew, Dawn Oliver, the firm’s head of private clients and Laura White, Sam’s daughter, a senior lecturer in fine art at Goldsmiths College, London.

The judges will consider how the artwork reflects the character of the city, together with how the artist has expressed their own passion for the city in their work.