Southsiders paint winning pictures

TWO talented Southsiders have been selected as winners at the Sightsavers Junior Painter Awards.

Rian Ã? Dhalaigh from Gaelscoil Phádraig, Ballybrack and Rachel Baum from Kill O’ The Grange National School, Blackrock (both 10) received regional prizes for their paintings creatively entitled

‘I Would Love to See a Two Sided Monster’ and

‘I Would Love to See a Winter Wonderland.’

The winners were unveiled in the innovative surroundings of the Science Gallery, Dublin where thousands of budding artists from all around the country who entered the competition gathered.

The artistic youngsters had been tasked with creating a painting inspired by the theme I Would Love To See.

The 15 regional winners were joined at the ceremony by RTÃ? television star Megan Cassidy who was lending her support to the initiative. The overall national winner was also announced on the day.

Primary school students from every county in Ireland entered the annual art competition, which is devised by Sightsavers to encourage young people to engage with their creativity while learning to appreciate the importance of their own eyesight and the challenges faced by millions of visually impaired people in the developing world.

The 15 winners were selected to make the exciting trip to receive their prizes for reaching the final and to see if they would be crowned the overall Sightsavers Junior Painter Awards winner.

The paintings will be exhibited in Powerscourt Townhouse Centre, South William Street, until Saturday, March 15.

Michael Marren, CEO of Sightsavers Ireland, said:

“This year’s competition far exceeded our expectations both in terms of quantity and standard of artwork received.

“I would like to extend my sincerest congratulations to all the young people who engaged in the competition and who aided in raising awareness for avoidable blindness. I would also like to thank their teachers and parents for encouraging their artistic abilities and giving them the opportunity to learn about the work of Sightsavers.

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Heading up the judging panel was Oscar nominated animator and founder of Cartoon Saloon, Tomm Moore, who added:

“Judging this competition has been no easy feat.

“The artistic quality of the entries was out of this world, so much so that there were times when I had to double check the age of some of the entrants

“I would like to whole heartedly congratulate the finalists who really impressed me by their artistic technique and their magical imagination.

“I would also like to encourage them and every other entrant to continue unleashing their creativity on the world.

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The overall winning schools received cash prizes of up to e1,000 that was generously pledged by The Irish Times. Art & Hobby stores and Star School Supplies have continued their support of the competition by donating thousands of euros worth of prizes that will be beneficial in supporting youngsters to develop their creative skills.

Every child that entered the awards was given a Sightsavers Certificate of Participation.

The finalist paintings can be viewed on the online gallery at: www.sightsavers.ie/juniorpainter or www.facebook.com/SightsaversIreland.