Issued April 2004

RUAIRI QUINN TD JOINS DISTINGUISHED PAST WINNERS AT 50TH TEXACO CHILDREN’S ART COMPETITION CELEBRATION

Former Minister for Finance and Labour Party leader Ruairi Quinn TD, himself a four-times winner of the Competition, was the keynote speaker at a luncheon held in the RHA Gallagher Gallery in Dublin yesterday (Friday, April 2nd) to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Texaco Children’s Art Competition.

Other distinguished past winners, a number of whom attended yesterday’s celebration, include artists Dorothy Cross, Bernadette Madden, Graham Knuttel and Robert Ballagh, fashion designer Paul Costello, broadcasters Thelma Mansfield and Terry Prone, ICTU General Secretary David Begg, novelist Clare Boylan, actress JeanAnne Crowley, musician Ethna Tinney and ASTI Vice President Susie Hall. Many others who played a prominent role in the development of the Competition during the course of its 50 years history were also present.

Acknowledged to be the longest running sponsorship in the history of art sponsorship in Ireland, the Texaco Children’s Art Competition is open to all children from 6 years and under up to 18 years and includes a special category devoted exclusively to children attending Special Needs schools.

Credited with having helped foster the development of art education in Ireland, especially in its earlier years, and with having recognised and rewarded the artistic talents of young Irish artists since its inception in 1955, the Competition continues to attract up to 50,000 entries annually from which 161 prize winners receive major awards.

2004 PRIZE WINNERS ANNOUNCED

The names of this year’s top prize winners were announced yesterday (Friday, April 2nd) by Mr. Paul Martin, Country Chairman, Texaco (Ireland) Limited. First prize in Category A (16-18 years) went to 17-year old Malahide student Niamh Fanning of Malahide Community School for her painting entitled ‘Down the Hill’. In Category B (14-15 years), first prize winner was 14-year old Edgar Grunewald of Garbally College, Ballinasloe for his painting entitled ‘Pools of Reflection – Ha’penny Bridge’ while, in Category C (12-13 years), first prize went to Ailish Fitzpatrick, age 13, of Kilrush Community School, Kilrush Co. Clare for her painting ‘Fish On A Dish’.

In Category D (9-11 years), first prize was won by 11-year old Cian Keogh, a student at Brushstrokes Art School, Marino Mart, Fairview for his painting entitled ‘Head II’ while, in Category E (7-8 years), the first prize went to another Dublin student Dylan McKeon, age 8, of St. Mary’s Boys National School, Haddington Road for a work entitled ‘Let Sleeping Wolves Lie’. In Category F (6 years and under), the youngest age group in the Competition, first prize winner was Emer McMahon, age 5, of St. Joseph’s National School, Mohill, Co. Leitrim.  In Category G, reserved for entries from children attending Special Needs schools, first prize went to 14-year old Victoria Farnan from Presentation Secondary School, Presentation Road, Galway for her painting entitled ‘Flowers In My Garden’.

Second and third prizes in all seven Competition age categories went to students from Dublin, Waterford, Sligo, Mayo, Wicklow, Donegal, Meath, Carlow, Kerry, Clare and Antrim. An exhibition of the 21 winning paintings takes place in The Helix, Dublin City University from April 6th - 30th.

Final judging was carried out by the Chairman of the judging panel, Mr. Declan McGonagle, Chair of Art & Design at the University of Ulster. Preliminary judges were Dr. Kay O’Brien and Mr. Eoin Butler (both from St. Patrick’s Training College, Dublin), Dr. Denise Ferran, Ms. Colleen Frew (Art Education Officer, Ulster Museum), Mr. Alan Bremner (Director of Television, UTV).

Congratulating the winners on their success, Paul Martin, Country Chairman, Texaco (Ireland) Limited said ‘in this special 50th Anniversary year, you have the distinction of representing the many thousands of young artists who have taken part in the Texaco Children’s Art Competition throughout the course of its 50 years history. Following in their footsteps, I hope that you will remember with pride the contribution which you have made in fostering an interest in art amongst the younger generation and in underlining the important position which children’s art holds within the wider world of arts in Ireland’.