Dublin Bus puts local young artists’ colourful creations onto the streets

THE Oscar-winning film and TV graphic designer, Annie Atkins, helped to give a group of 11 young budding artists from across Dublin the surprise of their lives last week.

They were the first to spot a Dublin Bus wrapped specially in artwork they had created for the company’s annual Children’s Art Competition.

The competition, which Annie judged, saw over 2,000 children from 25 primary schools enter and the winners’ artwork was on display at a special exhibition at The Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane.

The theme of the competition was ‘What do you think Dublin Bus will be like in 20 years’ time?’ and Annie was on hand to congratulate this year’s overall winner, Alanna Stapleton from Scoil Naomh Áine, Clondalkin.

Alanna’s imaginative and colourful prediction saw a bus with a rain water collection system, a roof garden to produce oxygen and an energy zone where stationary bike users can help power the bus!
Common themes within the creations were buses powered by sustainable energy; colourful futuristic buses; and even hovering space crafts.

In addition to appearing on the specially decorated Community Spirit Initiative bus, Alanna’s picture, along with the 10 runner-up artworks will feature, alongside 30 others, in the Children’s Art Calendar 2020.

Speaking at the unveiling of the bus Annie Atkins said: “The creativity and self-expression that is clear in the submissions for this year’s competition shows the importance of art for young children.

“Fostering the ability to envision the future and shaping our world for the better is really important. It’s wonderful to see Dublin Bus use the Children’s Art Competition to help children imagine the future of public transport in Ireland, not only for themselves but their communities too.”

The Children’s Art Competition is part of the Dublin Bus wider Community Spirit Initiative which reflects the company’s commitment to playing an active role in the communities in which services operate.

In 2018, as part of the Schools Education Programme, Dublin Bus Schools and Community Co-ordinators made 383 visits to schools to engage with children and young people across the Greater Dublin Area.

The Community Spirit Initiative buses also made 370 trips, bringing thousands of children on school trips and to summer projects.
Commenting on this year’s Children’s Art Competition, Ray Coyne, Dublin Bus CEO, said: “It is clear from the entries that the future is in good hands.

“A strong value for Dublin Bus is community, and it’s clearly evident from the submissions that community and togetherness is a common theme.

“Many of these children use Dublin Bus to get to and from school and it’s wonderful to see how they imagine we’ll look when we’re a little older.

“The calendar shows how young people in Dublin have great respect for Dublin Bus and understand the importance of public transport for their communities."

Dublin Bus has held the annual art competition since 2002. The competition and Schools Education Programme promotes the concept of respecting public transport.