Eleven South Dublin students were amongst 42 young artists from the county to have won top prizes in this year’s 68th Texaco Children’s Art Competition. In Category G, reserved for entries from young artists of all ages with special needs, Arianna O’Connor, (14), a pupil at St. Michael’s School, Chapelizod, won third prize for her artwork entitled ‘The Eyes Of The World’. Arianna’s work is described by Final Adjudicator, Professor Gary Granville as “a layered and multi-referenced reflection on post-referendum Ireland.”
In addition, ten South Dublin winners each won Special Merit Awards for artworks that Professor Granville said “displayed high levels of skill and creativity.”
They were: Katy Kennedy (17), from The King’s Hospital School, Palmerstown; Likky Wang (16), from Holy Family Community School, Rathcoole; Finn McQuaid (5), from Riverview Educate Together N.S., Greenhills; Carly Mulhall (6), from St. Thomas J.N.S. Lucan; and Luke McCormack (9), Brian Mustos (13), Emer Hyland (15), Riley McLafferty (14), Jack McDonald (12), and Paul Byrne (10), all pupils at St. Michael’s School, Chapelizod.
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 Dublin 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.
