Celebration of young creativity

This annual competition is co-ordinated by Lisburn Arts Advisory Committee, in conjunction with the Island Arts Centre, and is open to children in all Lisburn schools from P3 upwards.

With categories for visual art, short stories, poetry, drama, and musical performance, the competition once again highlighted the best of our talented local young people. As well as individual awards, prizes were also given to schools that had the highest numbers of winning entries. Outstanding Individual Awards were given out to Emma Stewart from Friend’s School Lisburn (Visual Art), Jack Mawhinney from Downshire Primary School (Poetry), John Dawson from Friends’ School Lisburn (Short Story) and Joel Trotter from Moira Primary School (Musical Performance).

Awards were presented by the Mayor of Lisburn Councillor Brian Heading and Ms Eileen Boylan, External Relations Manager, with Montupet UK Ltd who are the main sponsor of the competition. Other sponsors included Eason Ltd, Waterstones, Music Matters, Lisburn and Studio 23.

Guests at the ceremony were treated to a range of performances and readings including musical items from Joel Trotter, Moira Primary School and Grace Cunningham, St Joseph’s Primary School, readings from Ellie Gregg, Wallace High School and Tilly Martin, Pond Park Primary School and drama excerpts from Meadow Bridge Primary School of their production ‘The Boat Factory’ produced by Dan Gordon.

Speaking at the award ceremony, LAAC Chairman David Sloan said: “Our young artists are the pride of the city. Once again I would like to thank Montupet UK Ltd and Lisburn City Council for their continued support of the Schools Art competition.”

Mr Sloan also encouraged local people to view the art exhibition in the Community Arts Walkway, which will be on display until Saturday June 23. The exhibition will then go on display in Lisburn City Library from Monday July 2 until Tuesday July 31.