Saturday 26th September to Sunday 15th November

The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge, Canterbury

This September, The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge, Canterbury’s Art Museum will play host to the British Wildlife Photography Awards 2015.

Shag Resting, Farne Islands, Northumberland, England. Steven Fairbrother, animal portraits winner in 2014

The exhibition will be on show from 26th September in the Special Exhibitions Room, showcasing over 100 images and videos, including winning and commended entries from the 2015 competition. This year’s winning entries are due to be announced at a special awards ceremony in London in mid-September. For many, the Beaney exhibition will be the first opportunity to view thelatest winning entries.

Established in 2009, the British Wildlife Photography Awards generate an incredible catalogue of splendid, exciting, imaginative and artistic images, proving beyond doubt that we have the richest palette of life to celebrate in our own backyard. In its sixth year, the awards have done more than any other award to raise the profile of British wildlife.

The Tourist. Greylag Goose. Lee Acaster, overall winner in 2014

“Anyone passionate about protecting and preserving wildlife will be inspired by the British Wildlife Photography Awards.” (Chris Packham, TV presenter and naturalist)

Director of Canterbury Museums and Galleries, Joanna Jones, said: “We are delighted to be bringing this hugely popular national exhibition to The Beaney. The show features some magnificent images as well as video elements, which will be supported by a special accompanying programme, created by Canterbury Museums and Galleries.”

The awards were created to celebrate the talents of both amateur and professional photographers, while simultaneously highlighting the great wealth of British natural history. With 12 separate categories, the awards beautifully reveal the splendour of Britain’s wildlife. The overall prize fund is worth up to £20,000 and includes prizes from lead sponsors Sky and Canon.

Kent-based photographer and previous competition winner, Robert Canis, will be sharing his experiences in a special talk at The Beaney on Thursday 8th October at 6pm. Robert’s image, Saffron-drop bonnet mushroom in beechwood, was a winning entry back in 2013. The talk will feature amazing digital images, including night shots of the marshes and coast of Kent, as well as keen insights and useful tips.

Previous winning image, Saffron-drop bonnet mushroom in beechwood by Robert Canis

‘The closing date for entries for this year’s competition was 2nd May 2015. There are 16 categories including animal behaviour, urban wildlife, habitat, animal portraits, marine life, the hidden secret world that lies in the undergrowth and a special award for wildlife in HD Video (sponsored by Sky). There are also two junior categories and a school award – to encourage young people to connect with nature through photography.

Awards and Prizes

Overall Winner, British Wildlife Photographer

£5,000

Wildlife in HD Video Winner

Sky’s top TV package and a 3D TV plus a Canon XA20 Professional Camcorder

Category Winners 

A Canon PowerShot G7 X Camera

Portfolio Winner ‘Documentary Series’

A Gitzo Tripod GT3542LS

Portfolio Winner ‘British Seasons’ 

A £600 voucher for Páramo clothing

The Young People’s Awards WildPix / BWPA

Young British Wildlife Photographer (12 to 18) £500
Young British Wildlife Photographer (Up to 11) £300

The School Award 

A Wild Wonder Day with Iain Green. Plus £300

For full details, visit www.thebeaney.co.uk.

Associated events

Peter and the Wolf – Live Performance // Saturday 26 Sep, 11am // Free Admission

Explorers and Collectors, The Beaney

Celebrate the opening of the British Wildlife Photographer of the Year Awards exhibition with a free, live 30-minute performance of Prokofiev’s children’s symphony, Peter and the Wolf, with Grenville Hancox.

Close to home – Photographing Kent’s Wildlife // Thursday 8 Oct, 6pm-7pm // Adults £4, Members £3. Advance booking required – to book, visit www.thebeaney.co.uk

The Learning Lab, The Beaney

Kent-based professional nature photographer Robert Canis will provide an enthralling and informative talk about photographing Kent’s diverse wildlife. The event will feature amazing digital images, including night images of the marshes and coast of Kent, as well as keen insights and useful tips.

British Wildlife: Give Wildlife a Home // Drop in Family Activity // Wednesday 28 Oct, 2pm-4pm // Child £2pp, Families (three children), £5, Accompanying adults free

The Learning Lab, The Beaney

Create a Bird Banquet and make a Home for a Hedgehog with these simple craft activities to help the animals in your garden.

British Wildlife: Love Bugs // Drop in Family Activity // Friday 30 Oct, 2pm-4pm // Child £2pp, Families (three children), £5, Accompanying adults free

The Learning Lab, The Beaney

Investigate the world of creepy crawlies and then have fun making and decorating your own colourful butterfly to take home, taking inspiration from our Colours and Camouflage Gallery.

Official BWPA Book

The British Wildlife Photography Awards: Collection 6 showcases the very best entries from the British Wildlife Photography Awards in 2015. This stunning coffee table book is a celebration of British wildlife as captured on camera by today’s best amateur and professional photographers and can be purchased at The Beaney from 26th September. A range of locally made/themed jewellery and gifts will also accompany the exhibition.

Admission to the temporary exhibition is donation based and visitors are kindly asked to ‘pay what you can’.

For full details of The Beaney’s exhibitions and events programme, visit www.thebeaney.co.uk.