TEENAGE artists are being encouraged to get their creative juices flowing by taking part in a countywide talent competition - and possibly win a £500 prize at the same time.

Entrants, who must be aged between 16 and 18, also have the chance to see their work exhibited at the North Wall Arts Centre gallery, in Summertown, Oxford.

The competition - called Wall to Wall - coincides with this summer's North Wall Festival. And organisers are hoping for submissions in a variety of media - from charcoal to beach flotsam.

Administrator Sarah Lacey said the best entries would be exhibited in the foyer of the arts centre during the festival.

She said: "It's a great opportunity.

"We want to put together a dynamic and exciting mix of artwork and are already receiving entries of a very high standard from all over the county.

advertisement "It's inspiring to see what the region's young artists have been creating.

"The exhibition will form part of an exciting programme of drama, music, comedy and the arts during one of Oxford's newest summer festivals."

Competition judges include Jeremy Mogford, whose own collection of modern art is a feature of his Old Bank Hotel, in High Street, Oxford.

The exhibition is a collaboration between the North Wall Arts Centre, which is a converted Victorian swimming pool, the Sarah Wiseman Gallery, also in South Parade, and art shop Broad Canvas, in Broad Street.

The closing date for submissions is Monday, June 2.

Entertainment at this year's North Wall Festival includes drama, live music, theatre and late-night comedy.

Also showing is Tony! The Blair Musical - hot from its award-winning success at the 2007 Edinburgh Fringe.

The festival, in its second year, runs from July 2 to 12 and tickets are already on sale.

For more information about the competition and the festival, see the arts centre's website.