Arty pupils show they are old masters

Date:   

Pupils from 12 Camden schools had their artwork shown alongside old masters, such as Canaletto, Rubens and Rembrandt, at the Wallace Collection in central London.

The Camden Art and Poetry Competition for schools, which culminated in a one-day exhibition at the Wallace Collection last Wednesday (12 October), comprised paintings, drawings, collages, sculptures, poetry and prose by children and young people aged six to 19. It was the first time poetry and prose has been included – with book prizes and trophies for young writers, as well as the chance to attend writing workshops.

Young visual artists were awarded vouchers for art materials and trophies as well as the chance to attend art workshops.

Featuring creative work submitted by 14 Camden primary schools and 5 secondary schools, the event gave pupils the chance to have their work shown in the same gallery as the greats of 18th and 19th century painting and ceramics (http://www.wallacecollection.org/thecollection). 

The Camden Art and Poetry Competition was organised by the Council’s school improvement service, with sponsorship from Charles Russell solicitors, Winsor and Newton artists’ materials, and Hodder and Stoughton publishers.

The Wallace Collection donated exhibition space for the show and Camden Arts Centre, and British Library Education Department are providing creative workshops for winners.
The Mayor of Camden, Councillor Abdul Quadir, presented trophies and prizes to the winning young artists in each age group.

The Mayor said: “You should all be so proud to have your artwork displayed with these other great artists. Well done to all of you who have taken part in the Camden Schools Art Competition. I hope you have been inspired by this opportunity. Thank you to the Wallace Collection for giving us this wonderful venue.”

Kathryn Fitzsimmons, acting headteacher of Christ Church Hampstead Primary School, whose pupil Cristina Basche, eight, was among the winners, said: “As part of our art project, the school had a huge focus on Africa. Each class learnt about a different African country and Cristina, while in Year 3, learnt about Tanzania. Inspired by some of the Masai Mara tribes, Cristina used watercolours and acrylic paints to produce her outstanding picture.” 

Notes to editors:

The art competition winners were:
* Overall winner of the art competition – Holly Wilson, Camden School for Girls
* Overall secondary schools and KS5 winner of the art competition – Nikolas Solomos, 18, of La Sainte Union Catholic Secondary School.
* Overall primary schools and KS2 winner of the art competition – Cristina Basche, eight, of Christ Church Hampstead Primary School.
* KS3 art competition winner – Eliza Owens, Camden School for Girls.
* KS1 art competition winner – Malak L’Ajeli, Carlton Primary School.

The poetry and prose competition winners were:
Miriam Connors, 14, of Parliament Hill School (overall winner); Benjamin Tery, 7, Carlton Primary; Saya Barbaglia, 7, Christ Church NW3; Marco Basche, 6, Christ Church NW3; Alice Monaghan, 10, Kentish Town Primary; Gentrit Gashi, 10, Kentish Town Primary; Milly Toomey, 13, Hampstead Parochial; Aleksander Griebel Phillips, 13, Hampstead Parochial; Joshua von Uexkull, 15, William Ellis School and Akhran Girmay, 17, Acland Burghley.

Nineteen Camden schools took part. The competition was open to all schools in the borough.

The judging panel for the competition was made up of senior staff from the Wallace Collection and Camden Council’s children, schools and families department.

* During the competition awards it was announced that Camden School for Girls sixth former Daniel Burley has had his portraits chosen - from a national selection process of A-level artwork - for the annual Royal Society of British Artists’ exhibition in March 2012. Camden’s school improvement service introduced the chair of the organising body (NADFAS) to heads of art at Camden schools interested in putting their students’ work forward.

Ref Code:   PR 1497
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pressoffice@camden.gov.uk