Terrific artistic talent
THE Awards Ceremony for the LMETB Robert Ballagh Art Competition took place in the Droichéad Arts Centre, Drogheda.
This competition is open to students and learners attending all of LMETB’s 17 Secondary Schools, 4 Post Leaving Cert Colleges, 3 VTOS Centres, 9 Youthreach Centres, and Ard Rí Community National School.
The Competition is open to any student or learner who wishes to submit a painting. This year the competition was expanded to include VTOS centres, LMETB’s Ard Rí Community National School, and a new Photography Section which was judged by renowned local Photographer, Des Clinton.
The judge of all of the painting entries, arguably Ireland’s most well-known living Artist, Robert Ballagh, expressed his delight at the high standard of entries this year. Mr. Ballagh gives his time for free and he is delighted that the Competition bears his name.
Speaking at the launch of the Awards, one of the three Competition Organisers, Declan Clarke from Scoil Uí Mhuirí in Dunleer, stated that the reason that it was founded was to provide an opportunity for budding artists across LMETB’s education providers to showcase their talents and to achieve some recognition for same. A second organiser, Deirdre Harrington, also noted that students who received Merit recognition have gone on to become winners.
Approximately seventy people attended the Awards night. The Droichéad Arts Centre proved to be an excellent venue once again, and both the winners and their families and teachers were brimming with pride as they collected their prizes of Art Packs for the runners-up (sponsored by Creagal Art) and iPads for the category winners, as presented by Eilis Flood, Principal of Scoil Uí Mhuirí who was also representing LMETB.
There are twenty eight winning entries on display. This exhibition will remain open until April 7th next, and entry is free. Please check the Droichéad Arts Centre’s website for opening times.