11 April 2008:
Pictured at the presentation of Translink's Ulster in Bloom Art Competition is internationally acclaimed artist Rita Duffy from Belfast, Alisha Bothwell from Hunterhouse College who was awarded Highly Commended in the year 9 category, Sean McGreevy, Acting Special Services Manager and Veronica Palmer OBE Chairman. This year's theme was David Hockney.
Passers-by could be forgiven for thinking they had stumbled upon David Hockney’s latest exhibition at Translink’s Laganside Bus Centre today. In actual fact it was the awards presentation of the seventh annual Ulster In Bloom Schools’ Art Competition.
This year 4 pupils from Belfast received accolades for their art work, Rebekah Wallace from Grosvenor Grammar received Highly Commended in the year 8 category, with Alisha Bothwell, Hunterhouse College, Sheerin Manzoor, Belfast Model for Girls, and Aoife McGivern, Rathmore Grammar all being awarded Highly Commended in the year 9 category.
The theme of this year’s competition centred around one of the founding fathers of Pop Art, David Hockney, and invited students to interpret what they see or would like to see from their window.
This years competition launched in September 2007, received hundreds of entries from schools all over the Northern Ireland. With local artist Rita Duffy heading up the judging panel, entries were then narrowed down to twenty-one before one winner was selected from the finalists in each of the four categories – Year 8, 9, 10 and Special Education.
Speaking at the awards ceremony Translink Chairman Veronica Palmer OBE said: “At Translink we are committed to protecting and preserving our environment with the aim to encourage others to do so too. The Ulster in Bloom Art Competition has proven to be a really important way of encouraging pupils to engage with the beauty and preservation of their environment in a very creative and rewarding way.
Commenting on the standard of entries Ms Palmer added: “This year’s entries have been superb – the range of ideas and interpretation we have seen is testament to some truly exceptional local talent - which is very encouraging for the future.
Adding her congratulations to the winners, Head Judge Rita Duffy said, “This year’s entries really made an impression with the judging panel. It’s clear from the pieces we have seen just how much time and effort was put in, by both teachers and pupils, using a range of media with stunning effects. The pieces, which were eventually chosen as winners, really reflect the Hockney brief. ”
All runners up received certificates while winning pupils were also rewarded with travel prizes for their schools and families. All twenty-one short listed artworks are available to view on Translink’s website - www.translink.co.uk and will be on display at Translink’s Central Station over coming weeks.
Ends.
For further information, please contact Nicola Adamson at Morrow Communications on 02890 393837 or email n.adamson@morrowcommunications.com
Notes to Editors:
The full shortlist is as follows:
Special Education
|
Pupil Name |
School |
|
| Connor Robinson | Killard House Special School, Newtownards | Winner |
| Leavers Class | Knockeven Special School, Downpatrick | Highly Commended |
| Kelly Magill | Beechlawn Special School, Hillsborough | Highly Commended |
| David Powell | Belmont House Special School, Londonderry | Highly Commended |
| Kurtis Browne | Killard House Special School, Newtownards | Highly Commended |
Year 8
|
Pupil Name |
School |
|
| Rachael Burleigh | Collegiate Grammar School, Enniskillen | Winner |
| Caoimhe Scullion | Holy Trinity College, Cookstown | Highly Commended |
| Andrew Douglas | New-Bridge College, Newry | Highly Commended |
| Nicole Gallagher | St Cecilias College, Londonderry | Highly Commended |
| Rebekah Wallace | Grosvenor Grammar School, Belfast | Highly Commended |
Year 9
|
Pupil Name |
School |
|
| Corey Weir | St Louis Grammar School, Ballymena | Winner |
| Ciara Cullinan | Loreto Grammar School, Omagh | Highly Commended |
| Sophy McKee | Carrickfergus Grammar | Highly Commended |
| Alisha Bothwell | Hunterhouse College, Belfast | Highly Commended |
| Sheerin Manzoor | Belfast Model School for Girls | Highly Commended |
| Aoife McGivern | Rathmore Grammar School, Belfast | Highly Commended |
Year 10
|
Pupil Name |
School |
|
| Michael Cheuk | Loreto College, Coleraine | Winner |
| Kiara Madden | Holy Trinity College, Cookstown | Highly Commended |
| Emma Leonard | St Mary’s High School, Belleek | Highly Commended |
| Ciara Topping | Cambridge House Grammar School, Ballymena | Highly Commended |
| Claire Murphy | St Pauls High School | Highly Commended |