Seven Budding Midlands Artists Win Big At Texaco Art Competition

The region is home to some phenomenal talent from kids as young as six!

Westmeath

Five Westmeath students have won top prizes in this year’s 68th Texaco Children’s Art Competition.

In the 6 years and younger age category – the youngest age group in the Competition – William Glynn (6), a pupil at All Saints N.S. Mullingar, won first prize for an artwork entitled ‘From Grandad's Garden’.

William’s work is described by Final Adjudicator, Professor Gary Granville as being “striking for the different uses of colour in various media.”

In addition, four Westmeath winners each won Special Merit Awards for artworks that Professor Granville said, “displayed high levels of skill and creativity.”

They were Nicholas Glynn (6), a pupil at All Saints N.S. Mullingar;

Adam Khan (6),

Muhammad Hadi Qureshi (5);

and Laraib Aslam (8), all from Presentation Junior School, Mullingar

No strangers to the Competition, Muhammad won first prize in the same age category last year, whilst Laraib won second prize in the same age category of last year’s Competition.

Laois

Ten year old Luke Dunne, from Paint Pots Art Group, Ballyfin, has won a top prize in this year’s 68th Texaco Children’s Art Competition.

Luke won a Special Merit Award for his artwork entitled ‘Dinky Donkey’, which Final Adjudicator, Professor Gary Granville said “displayed high levels of skill and creativity.”

Offaly

12 year old Shauna Mannion, from Coláiste Niamh Cormac, Kilcormac, has also won a top prize in this year’s Competition.

Shauna won a Special Merit Award for her artwork entitled ‘Badgie’, which Final Adjudicator, Professor Gary Granville said “displayed high levels of skill and creativity.”

The Texaco Children’s Art Competition is popularly regarded as the longest-running sponsorship in the history of arts sponsoring in Ireland, with an unbroken history that dates back to the very first Competition held in 1955. This year, as has been the case throughout its life, it has been a platform on which young artists from Laois and counties throughout Ireland have had their talents recognised and their creativity commended.

From 31st May to 30th June, Belfast’s Royal Ulster Academy of Arts is hosting an exhibition of the top 126 winning paintings in this year’s Competition. Admission is free and the Academy is open on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9am-5pm.