North Dublin students win top prizes in Texaco Children’s Art Competition

Eight North Dublin students are among the 29 young artists from around the county to win top prizes in this year’s 67th Texaco Children’s Art Competition.

In the 14-15 years age category, Xinru Zhou (14), a pupil at Holy Faith Clontarf Secondary School, won third prize for an artwork entitled ‘Pineapple Slice’.

Xinru’s work is described by final adjudicator, Professor Declan McGonagle as “an unusual subject in a work that deploys real draughtsmanship and interesting, delicate painterly effects”.

In addition, seven North Dublin winners each won Special Merit Awards for artworks that Professor McGonagle said, “demonstrated high levels of skill and imagination.”

They were Tim Lavin (11) from St. Fintan’s National School, Sutton; Walt Russell (11) from Scoil Assaim Boys’ National School, Raheny; Alicja Mosz (7) from Our Lady Immaculate Junior National School, Darndale; Emily Bermingham (7) from Corpus Christi Girls’ National School, Drumcondra; Jake O’Doherty (6) from St. Brigid’s Boys’ National School, Killester and Evie Rose Brady (17) and Saoirse Kinsella (8), both pupils at St. Paul’s Special School, Beaumont.

This is Russell’s fourth award after winning second prize in the 9-11 years age category in 2019, second prize in the 7-8 years age category in 2018 and a Special Merit Award in 2017.

Last year, O’Doherty won third prize in the 6 years and under age category, whilst Bermingham won a Special Merit Award.

From September 14 to October 2, Drogheda’s Highlanes Municipal Art Gallery is hosting an exhibition of the top 126 winning paintings in this year’s Competition.

Admission is free and further information is available at www.highlanes.ie