Issued October 2004

ART WORKS BY TWELVE PAST TEXACO CHILDREN'S ART COMPETITION WINNERS TO HANG IN FOUR STATE VENUES

Presentation of paintings to Office of Public Works key element in programme to mark 50th Anniversary of the Competition.

Twelve young Irish artists, all past winners in the annual Texaco Children's Art Competition, will have their prize-winning paintings permanently hung in four separate State venues thanks to a decision by the Office of Public Works to accept their work as part of a celebratory programme to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Texaco Children's Art Competition which occurs this year.

The paintings were presented by Paul Martin, Country Chairman, Texaco (Ireland) Limited to Tom Parlon TD, Minister of State at the Department of Finance with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works, the body responsible for the upkeep of all State properties and the management of the State art collection which currently comprises more than 7,000 artworks. The presentation was made at a reception hosted by the Office of Public Works in their headquarters in Dublin recently.

Two of the paintings, a work entitled 'Eagle Owl' by Cillian Boyd of Gortmore, Ennis, a student at the local Gael Choláiste an Chlár and a work entitled 'Reflections' by Gorey Community School student Kevin Roche, have been chosen to hang in the prestige setting of the Department of An Taoiseach on Merrion Street, Dublin where they may be viewed by the many leading national and international figures who visit An Taoiseach each year. A third work entitled 'Sydney 2000' by Janet Hatton of Glenageary, Co. Dublin has been chosen to hang in the offices of the Office of Public Works on St. Stephen's Green, Dublin.

Another venue at which the paintings will be displayed is Farmleigh in Dublin's Phoenix Park for which five paintings have been chosen. Amongst them are works entitled 'The Young Rider' by Sarah Clarke of St. Brigid's National School, Cabinteely, Co. Dublin, 'Stormy Day in Bundoran' by Jason Rouse of Sion Mills, Co. Tyrone and 'Pasturing' by Elaine Redmond of Clonegal National School, Enniscorthy. Two other works selected for exhibition in Farmleigh include one entitled 'Kelly' by Kelly Moriarty of Skerries Art School, Co. Dublin and another by Fionnbarra Claffey of Rathcoole, Co. Dublin entitled 'Fear Bréige Sona'.

Dublin Zoo, one of the most visited locations in Ireland, provides the venue for the remaining five works which include one entitled 'Iguana' by Stuart McBlain of Newtownards, Co. Down, and another entitled 'Shimmer Circus' by Isobel O'Reilly, Scoil Barra Naofa, Beaumont, Cork. 'A Crocodile With Six Legs' by Christopher Phelan of Crosshaven will also be permanently displayed there as will 'Park Squirrel' by John Macken of Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford.

Expressing his appreciation to the Government and the Office of Public Works for bestowing such an honour on the twelve artists involved, Paul Martin, Country Chairman, Texaco (Ireland) Limited said that 'by their decision to accept these works, the Office of Public Works has helped fulfil what is surely the dream of every artist, that is to have his or her work permanently exhibited in a location where it can be appreciated and admired.'

'Besides acknowledging the 50th Anniversary of the Texaco Children's Art Competition, the decision by the Office of Public Works to accept these paintings is one which bestows immense privilege on the twelve young artists involved whilst recognising the creativity and imagination that is reflected in the world of children's art' Mr. Martin said.

Accepting the paintings, Minister of State Tom Parlon TD said 'These paintings demonstrate the imagination, enthusiasm and talent of the Irish children throughout the years who have taken the time to produce art for the Texaco Art Competition. I would like to congratulate Texaco (Ireland) who are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Texaco Art Competition. The competition has been a wonderful springboard for young Irish artists over generations.'