Young Liverpool artists shine at dot-art Schools exhibition

Talented young artists from primary and secondary schools across the Liverpool city region are being celebrated in the 2025 dot-art Schools exhibition, now open at the Walker Art Gallery.

Winners of the student art competition were honoured at a special prize-giving ceremony held in the historic Concert Room at St George’s Hall, recognising outstanding creativity in pupils from Year 5 and Year 9.

This marks the 13th year of the dot-art Schools programme – an initiative that promotes creativity in Liverpool schools and is delivered in partnership with Edge Hill University’s faculty of education.

Championing creativity in Liverpool’s young people

Lorraine Partington, head of partnership development at Edge Hill University, said:

“Edge Hill University is proud of our partnership with dot-art, championing the value of arts education and creativity across the region.

The standard of work submitted this year has been exceptional. Having the winning pieces exhibited at the iconic Walker Art Gallery is a remarkable achievement and a powerful way to inspire the next generation of artists.”

Walker Art Gallery hosts young artists exhibition

The 2025 dot-art Schools exhibition is free to visit at the Walker Art Gallery, where it will run from Thursday 5 June to Sunday 6 July 2025.

Featuring artwork from more than 80 Liverpool schools, the exhibition showcases the very best in student creativity, with winning entries from both primary and secondary categories.

2025 dot-art Schools winners

Primary school category

• Overall winner: Sea Turtle 8 by Maxwell Cogley, St Bede’s Catholic Primary School
• Runner-up: Frida Kahlo’s Portrait 2 by Lily Beckett, St Austin’s Primary School
• Runner-up: The Lost Girl by Vanisha, New Park Primary School

Secondary school category

• Overall winner: Mirror to the Soul by Anna Walker, St Julie’s Catholic High School
• Runner-up: Ocean Cry by Daniel Welch, St John Plessington Catholic College
• Runner-up: Fox Study by Jessica Strype, Litherland High School

A creative experience for visitors

The exhibition is more than just a display — it’s an interactive celebration of young talent in the Liverpool city region.

Visitors can:

• Watch a screening of the top three artworks from each school
• Get hands-on by creating a ‘selfie sketch’ portrait
• Add to a growing visitors mini gallery throughout the month-long event

Each school submitted entries which were reviewed by a panel of art experts, who selected the top three from each. A public online vote then decided each school’s winner. Overall winners and runners-up were chosen by guest judge Susan Coles, a respected figure in arts education.

Supporting arts education in Liverpool

Lucy Johnson, head of exhibitions at National Museums Liverpool, said:

“We are delighted to once again host the dot-art Schools exhibition at the Walker Art Gallery.

It’s a privilege to provide a platform for Year 5 and Year 9 pupils to display their work in one of the UK’s most prestigious galleries. Their dedication and passion for art is inspiring.”

The exhibition also acknowledges the support of schools, sponsors and partners who help make this event possible every year.

Plan your visit

The Walker Art Gallery, often called ‘the national gallery of the North’, has been showcasing Liverpool’s art collection for over 130 years. Visitors can explore historic and contemporary works — and now discover the next generation of Liverpool artists on display in the dot-art Schools exhibition.

• Location: Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool
• Dates: 5 June – 6 July 2025
• Opening hours: 10am – 5pm (closed Mondays)
• Admission: Free