As Spring dawns and the sun shines; I think it makes everyone feel more positive and hopeful.

Young children, in their innocence, notice the purity of the spring flowers, whilst adults see how lush the countryside and the grass in our gardens look after all the rain. Even the two bunches of daffodils my husband brought back from the supermarket brought a smile to my face. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't a romantic gesture. They're his favourite flower, but hey!

Despite still recovering from winter's aches and pains, the beam of warm sunshine through my studio window spurred me into action.

After sorting through the wonderful artwork sent by the talented young artists, I made a list of tasks. Well, not so much tasks as things to do. I do like a list. It's so satisfying to tick each item off and get to the end before the evening meal.

Anyway, after much deliberation I decided to submit a painting to the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition. It's a long shot, as I know there are always thousands of applicants, but I'm forever hopeful. After all, I was successful once.

Now onto the young artists and their up-and-coming opportunities.

My students eagerly finished off their paintings to submit to the Royal Academy Young Artists Summer Exhibition. Every year we all anxiously wait for the email and dread the first words, 'I am sorry to inform you …' Rejection is a hard pill to swallow and always disappointing, but one day when they may get accepted, the joy will be even more special. They know that they all deserve to showcase their artwork and there are always other opportunities and doors opening. Sometimes children don't understand the processes of entering into exhibitions and that not all submissions are accepted.

This is the innocence of youth. If they are passionate about their art and are proud of their paintings, that is all that matters. Acceptance is just a bonus.

After the tremendous success of the previous children's and young people's art exhibitions held at the Trapezium Art Gallery in the center of Bradford, West Yorkshire, I am now planning for the fourth event to take place in the summer. Last year's exhibition 'Being Hockney' coincided with the city's City of Culture status and attracted over two hundred visitors over just a few days.

The theme this year is `A NOD TO…`

Artists aged 4yrs to 18yrs are invited to submit artwork, for consideration, inspired by their favourite artist or any artist they find interesting, preferably not the usual artists such as Van Gogh, Monet, etc., used in the school curriculum. These can be individual or collaborative.

Any mediums are acceptable, such as paint, textiles, collage, ceramics, sculpture, pastels, digital, pencil, etc.

For more detailed information, such as size specifications, important dates, etc., please send all enquiries to my email address at the bottom of this article.

Submissions from schools, community groups and individuals are all welcome.

In the past I have managed to invite the Lord Mayor to launch the exhibition. This makes the exhibition more special for these young artists. For some children it will be the first time they have exhibited on the wall in an exhibition, and hopefully it will become a memory to keep well into their adulthood.

Schools, art clubs, small children's/young people's art groups and community groups may be interested in the workshops taking place most Wednesdays that takeursdays throughout the year at the Open Gallery, Broad Street Plaza, Halifax. For times, availability, costs and how to book, please contact me via my email. I look forward to receiving all your wonderful artwork.

Lynne Dobson Yorkshire Artist purplegrandma48@gmail.com