Reasons To Be Cheerful As Children Enjoy Art Competition

Posted on June 27, 2008

By Christy Parker | Photo: Michael Hussey (YoughalOnline.com)

Rory, Wayne and Denise Fitzgerald
Young Artist Rory with dad Wayne and grandmother Denise Fitzgerald

Younger artists in the Youghal area gave notice of their prowess and potential when they recently participated in an art competition organised by Youghal Visual Arts Festival. The annual event is co-ordinated through primary schools and this year attracted 552 entrants from the national schools of Gaelscoil Chorain, South Abbey, Bun Scoil Mhuire, Clonpriest and Knockanore. Last weekend, 40 award winners received trophies -sponsored by Goldmine Jewellers, Rivergate Mall- at a ceremony in the Mall Arts Centre.

The competition was run across eight school years from Junior Infants to Sixth Class, with each year awarded trophies for 1st, 2nd, 3rd plus two Credits. At the behest of YVAF secretary? Karen Gallogley -perhaps influenced by Ian Drury and the Blockheads’s 1979 hit song of the same name- the pupils were told to interpret the theme ‘Reasons to be Cheerful.’ Entries were accepted in the art material of their choice -whether crayon, acrylic or daddy’s ear wax- as long as it was presented on A4 paper.

Not surprisingly, they took to it like politicians to a junket. Six weeks later the finished works were presented to Killeagh artist Sinead Ni Chonaille for judgement. Its always interesting to observe the messages emanating from the mysterious Planet Childhood and Sinead discovered that for many children a reason to be cheerful involved Christmas, birthday parties, flowers, being with their families.” One touching interpretation depicted flowers being delivered to someone in hospital. “It was beautiful to see them expressing happiness,” says Sinead, adding, adding that “the standard was amazingly high too.”

Amanda Hogan, Chairwoman of YVAF, noted that, “modes of transport was also a common feature”, with many male, rural children drawing tractors, while their urban equivalent drew racing cars. Looks like the next generation of boy racers is revving up then!

It’s not just the cars that were fast. Adam Born, aged 8 and a pupil at Bun Scoil Mhuire, drew a picture of the beach. The 1st place award winner proudly revealed that it had taken him all of “a few minutes” to produce his masterpiece. His trophy was bound for his bedroom window, possibly to serve as inspiration for painting pursuits that would persist up to and including the far distant date that would bring him to his dad’s age.

Meanwhile the 40 winning entries will be framed and exhibited in Youghal Library during the Youghal Visual Arts festival from July 19th-27th. Workshops at Colaiste Eoin for children upwards from five years will run in conjunction with the festival and include such disciplines as drawing, chalk & pastel, jewellery making and papercraft. Places by pre-booking only, at €8 per workshop. Details: 087-4166800; 087-4126213. Might help them to win a prize next year…