Wine, Frogs and Art! Queer Britain launches “Madame F Award” to celebrate Queer Creativity

By John Freeman on October 7, 2021

Queer Britain – a charity working to establish the UK’s first national LGBTQ+ museum – has just announced the launch of the Queer Britain Madame F Award, in partnership with wine brand Madame F, a competition challenging artists to submit their illustrations, paintings or drawings that celebrate the theme “Queer Creativity”.

The theme is inspired by illustrator Justin Kemp, who designed the “Susy the Frog” image featured on the Madame F wine label.

The Competition is open to anyone with a UK address on 12th June 2021. Entries must be submitted digitally by 12th November 2021; the submitted entry (the “Work”) for 2021/22’s competition must be original, and is limited to 2D including painting, collage, photography, drawing or illustration.

Three winners will receive a cash prize, and their artwork will support Queer Britain, which is working to open a physical space next year. It will also be exhibited and could be published.

“The Queer Britain Madame F Award is a great opportunity to celebrate LGBTQ+ people, of all ages, and our artistic endeavours,” says cartoonist, artist and Award Jury member Kate Charlesworth. “Queer Britain is working very hard to set up a national LGBTQ+ museum, and this award shows that queer creativity is at its very heart.”

“We love what Queer Britain is doing, love the creativity of LGBTQ+ people and wanted to lend our support and help QB get their doors open,” adds Iain Muggoch, Chief Bottle Filler for Award Sponsor, Madame F, “And have some fun along the way.”

Queer Britain is a charity working to establish the UK’s first national LGBTQ+ museum, a place as exciting as the people, stories and ideas it explores and celebrates. It will be an essential place for all regardless of sexuality or gender identity, to find out about the culture they have been born into, have chosen or seek to understand. It will help complete the Nation’s family tree.

• Find out more about the competition here on the Queer Britain web site | Check out the wine here

Entrants under the age of 18 must have permission from a parent or guardian and The Charity may ask for evidence of this before a prize is awarded – full Ts & Cs here

• Find out more about the Queer Britain project at queerbritain.org.uk

• Follow Queer Britain on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.