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The Fifty Bees Prize Draw
Somerton, Somerset, United Kingdom
Aim
Enter now for your chance to win the Violet Carpenter Bee from the original Fifty Bees Exhibition! Support this project and watch it grow!
The Prize
Win Bee 50 – the Violet Carpenter Bee – a stunning, one-of-a-kind sculpture created by Fifty Bees lead artist, Lydia Needle, as part of the renowned Fifty Bees project. This is the very first bee Lydia ever made, featured in the original 2017 exhibition. It's a true collector’s piece – completely unique.
Each of Lydia's bees are inspired by a real UK bee species (of which there are about 270) and crafted to celebrate the vital role bees play in our ecosystem. The lucky winner of Bee 50 will own a work of art with purpose – a powerful symbol of creativity, conservation, and community.
The Cause
Why This Prize Draw Matters
Fifty Bees began with a deep love for nature and a commitment to highlighting the overlooked world of bees, all pollinators, and the interconnectedness of all living things. Through five exhibitions, the project has used beautiful, thought-provoking art to raise awareness of bees’ critical role in our environment.
At the heart of each exhibition, Lydia brings together 50 artists, writers, dancers, musicians, scientists, and members of the public – each focusing on a different UK bee species. So far, Lydia has created 250 unique bee sculptures.
Now, Fifty Bees CIC – a not-for-profit community interest company – is offering Bee 50, the very first sculpture from the series, as the prize in a special fundraising draw. Barbara Summers, the original owner of Bee 50, has very kindly donated it to our new CIC specifically for us to run this Prize, and for helping to secure the future of the project.
This isn’t just about winning a sculpture. It’s about supporting a movement. The funds raised will enable Fifty Bees CIC to continue its work through future exhibitions, creative workshops, community engagement, and educational outreach – all aimed at inspiring a greater connection to bees and biodiversity.
This prize draw is just the beginning.
Your support will kickstart our fundraising to create:
A Permanent Collection of 50 Bees
A touring set of bee sculptures, available for loan to museums, schools, artists, and communities—bringing British bees and wildlife into public spaces across the UK.
Educational Resources
Research packs, guides, and creative materials to help people of all ages explore, understand, and be inspired by native bees.
Every entry supports our mission to connect people with nature through creativity.
Bee 50 symbolizes community, hope, and action.
Together, we can make this vision a reality.
What does the Fifty Bees mean to the artists who take part?
“It has been an honour and a privilege to be part of this wonderful project. It opened my eyes to quiet protest and collaborative working, which is now the mainstay of my practice. I’m on my 16th BeeWalk for Bumblebee Conservation Trust – all thanks to the research and confidence this project gave me. Thank you, Bee Team – you are an inspiration.”
— Louisa Crispin
“I’m immensely proud and happy to have been part of the Fifty Bees story, and I look forward to its future journey.”
— Sue Spence
What Does Fifty Bees Mean to Our Audiences?
Ecology Meets Art
The dual artworks (a Lydia Needle bee paired with a collaborator’s response) deepen public understanding of pollinator diversity and the vital roles these tiny creatures play.
Sustainability in Practice
Lydia’s use of vintage textiles, recycled packaging, and low-impact techniques reflects an eco-conscious ethos. She incorporates gentle climate messages – like the importance of letting lawns bloom for pollinators during No Mow May.
Educational Outreach
Through Fifty Bees CIC, Lydia is developing loanable bee sets and creative packs for schools, museums, and community groups – supporting environmental education through art.
This project successfully funded on 20th September 2025