George’s art success

A NORTHSIDE boy was delighted to be announced as one of the finalists in a national art competition recently.

George Downes (12) from Balrothery National School, Balbriggan, was honoured at the Sightsavers Junior Painter Awards Ceremony for his work entitled ‘Lift Off to a Brighter Future.’

This year’s theme, ‘Put Us In The Picture’, inspired creative entries from hundreds of primary schools across the country. 

The winners were thrilled to be presented with their awards by Sightsavers chief executive Charlie Lamson.

The judges tasked with the difficult job of choosing this year’s winners were disability campaigner Sinéad Burke (aka Minnie Melange), Laureate na nÓg and illustrator PJ Lynch, and artist and director of Arts and Disability Ireland Padraig Naughton. 

They were astounded by the calibre of entries received and especially noted the creativity, colour and effort that went into each and every painting.

Sinéad Burke said: “In the year that Ireland will ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, it was inspiring to see the appetite that children, teachers and communities have in exploring the nuanced conversation surrounding disability.”

The 22 finalists and highly commended paintings will be exhibited at the DLR LexIcon (Dun Laoghaire LexIcon Library) throughout the summer. 

 The paintings will also be displayed in Powerscourt Town Centre, Dublin 2 for the month of August.