72nd Texaco Children's Art Competition Winner Announcement
The adjudication of this year's Competition has been completed and we would like to thank the young artists who entered and their parents or guardians, their teachers and their school communities for their involvement and participation. As in previous years, the entry level was notable and the standard of work received exceptional.
Congratulations to all, but especially to our category winners whose artworks are on display in the 2026 Gallery above. These artists attended our Awards Ceremony in May where they were officially presented with their award winning prizes and certificates.
We note in particular this year's overall winner, sixteen years old Aurianna Hanlon from Kilkenny.
In choosing her submission in acrylic paint as the overall prize winner, Final Adjudicator and Chairperson of the judging panel — Irish visual artist, curator and educator — Pauline O'Connell described Aurianna's artwork which is titled 'Falling Up' as "an ambitious and compelling self-portrait that challenges perspective and draws the viewer into a shared space, demonstrating both technical control and emotional depth".
“An exceptional painting that is well deserving of first place in this year's Competition, the perspective places the viewer below the subject, who looks down with a steady, engaging gaze. The division of light and shadow across the face is masterfully handled, with tonal shifts ranging from warm umbers to cool purples and blues. Set against a richly textured ultramarine blue sky, the brushwork remains fluid and expressive while retaining remarkable accuracy," she added.
Aurianna has been invited by the International Foundation for Arts and Culture (IFAC) to exhibit her winning artwork at the 27th International High School Arts Festival which will take place in the National Arts Center in Tokyo, Japan in August. Well done Aurianna, we hope you have an enjoyable and very memorable trip!
We would also like to extend our congratulations to those artists who have been awarded a Certificate of Commendation by our independent judging panel. Their names may be viewed here and their certificates have been sent to them. Well done to all the recipients of this Award too.
If you have any queries regarding the information above, please email Bronagh Carron at texacochildrensart@valero.com
Congratulations!