By arts editor HELEN MUSA

A friendly garden monster named Bloombo is about to spring from the imagination of a seven-year-old Canberra designer into molten glass at Canberra Glassworks.

The annual Kids Design Competition, open to young people aged 17 and under, invited entrants to create an original three-dimensional work inspired by Floriade. This year’s winner is Charlie, whose colourful character Bloombo captured the judges’ attention.

Next weekend, Charlie’s design will be transformed into glass in the Hotshop by glass artist Annette Blair.

In the description accompanying the winning entry, Charlie explained that Bloombo is “a friendly garden monster who loves helping flowers grow”.

“He has flowers on his head and giant googly marble eyes. His colourful body shows different emotions. Red for courage, blue for calm, yellow for happiness and green for growth. Wherever Bloombo goes, flowers bloom brighter, grass grows greener and everyone smiles!”

Visitors will be able to watch the winning design come to life during a special public demonstration.

Kids Design Competition Demonstration, Canberra Glassworks, 11 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston, September 26.

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