Schools competition brings local children’s creations to gallery

Inspired artworks from the winners of the dot-art Schools’ competition are on display alongside the likes of Rubens, Rembrandt and Riley, in a partnership between the Walker Art Gallery and dot-art Schools.

Over 1000 students from 46 Liverpool schools entered a competition to see their artwork displayed at the Walker Art Gallery from now until 8 June 2014.

From Day of the Dead inspired prints, to nature-inspired collages, and detailed portraits, the gallery will showcase an eclectic range of exceptional work from young people.

Works were shortlisted by a panel of three judges including: Sandra Penketh, Director of Art Galleries at National Museums Liverpool; Sarah Pickstone, winner of the John Moores Painting Prize in 2012; and Jenny Porter, Project Manager, Metal and Liverpool Art Prize.

The overall winners, Lottie Hulse from St Hilda’s Church of England High School and Daniel Canning from Christian Fellowship School received their awards from the Lord Mayor of Liverpool Councillor Millar.

The competition is designed to nurture talent, raise ambition and take art out of the classroom and into the real world. It is hoped the project will encourage young people to engage with the arts and enable their first steps towards a creative career path.

Kate Johnson, Senior Education Manager at the Walker Art Gallery said: “Art can be a powerful way for young people to express themselves and engage with the world. The exhibition will give visitors to the gallery a real sense of the talent and imagination of pupils from local schools.”

Jane Tasker, art teacher at Christian Fellowship Schools said: “This is a great opportunity to view work from a wide range of schools and to display children’s work publically. It is motivational for children to view theirs and their classmates work online and better still in a prestigious art gallery.”