Happiness is good for the ‘art’
Visitors to St Conan’s Kirk at Lochawe have until the end of August to see what makes children happy.
All the entries from schools for this year’s St Conan’s Cup for Art are up on display at the historic church. This year’s winner of the competition, which started in 2015, is Oban’s St Columba’s Primary School.
Recognising the difficult time everyone has had over the last 16 months, the theme was Happiness and The Friends of St Conan’s asked pupils to come up with a painting, drawing or collage to show what makes them smile.
Many chose their family or favourite pet, but nature and being outside were also popular. Pupils take part individually, with the cup being awarded to the school whose pupil has the winning entry.
Lynda Oxland, vice chairperson of the Friends of St Conan’s and organiser of the art competition, said: ‘2021 has not been an easy year for schools. We are especially pleased that some were able to find the time to enter the competition. The artwork is thoughtful and interesting: the judge did not have an easy job.’
The judge tasked with the difficult job was Val Leckie, a retired art teacher from Oban.
The top school was St Columba’s with P7 pupil Stasui Kupzak and his A Happy Sunset being declared the overall winner.
Highly commended were: Jacob Aitkenhead P2 Dalmally; Zuzanna Kondracuik P1 St Columba’s and Mathew Cameron P5 Lochnell.
Val said: ‘These days there is a lot of health advice about the benefits of getting outside and being in nature. It is therefore very encouraging to see through these paintings that so many of our young people identify trees, animals and the great outdoors as a source of happiness.’