Issued October 2003

ULSTER MUSEUM HOSTS TEXACO CHILDREN'S ART EXHIBITION

The Ulster Museum is hosting an exhibition of winning entries from the 49th Texaco Children's Art Competition. Opening on 10th October 2003 this exhibition of paintings continues until 30th November 2003.

Entries to the 49th Texaco Children's Art Competition were received from over 2,500 primary and second level schools throughout Ireland, north and south. From these, 161 winners were chosen comprising the first, second and third prize winners plus twenty special merit award winners in each of seven age categories including one for children attending special needs schools. Judging is carried out by a five-person team under the Chairmanship of Declan McGonagle, Director, Dublin City Arts Centre.

A feature of the competition in recent years has been the UTV/Texaco Young Artist Commission whereby a Stg£1,000 commission is awarded annually to the young artist chosen by the Chairman of the judging panel, Declan McGonagle as the overall winner of the competition. Last year, the commission went to Gorey Community School student Eoin Kenny, the second Gorey student to win the coveted award. When completed, Eoin's work will form part of the UTV Young Artist Collection.

This is the seventh year in which winning entries in the Texaco Children's Art Competition have been exhibited at the Ulster Museum. Commenting, Chief Executive of MAGNI, Tim Cooke said "We are delighted to again have the opportunity to host this wonderful and extremely popular exhibition of Children's art on display in the Ulster Museum".

Thanking Mr Cooke and his colleagues for their support, Texaco (Ireland) Country Chairman, Pat O'Shaughnessy said 'the prestige exposure which this exhibition gives to the works of our students has contributed immensely to the popularity of the competition and to the high level of awareness which it enjoys amongst students and teachers throughout Northern Ireland'.

Regarded as the longest running arts sponsorship in Ireland, 2004 will see the Texaco Children's Art Competition celebrating its 50th anniversary.