Pupils' painting wins through to UK final of Euro art contest

Published on Wednesday 5 November 2008 11:40

CARMONDEAN Primary School pupils are in the running to become Euro stars after their artwork made it through to the UK final of a painting competition.

CARMONDEAN Primary School pupils are in the running to become Euro stars after their artwork made it through to the UK final of a painting competition.

County MP Jim Devine asked local primary schools to take part in the European Union Year of Intercultural Dialogue painting competition, aimed at raising awareness of anti-racism and the role of the EU.

Four primaries – Blackburn, Carmondean, St Mary's in Polbeth and Williamston in Murieston – all took part with paintings showing their visions of what the EU signifies.

Carmondean's 'Reach For The Stars' painting was considered to be the most illuminating by judges MP Devine and Herald & Post editor Scott McAngus, when the pair visited the schools to view the impressive artwork.

The painting will now be put forward to the final and will be up against schools from all other constituency areas in the UK.

Two panels of judges, including Cherie Booth, Dame Kelly Holmes and children, will determine the overall UK winner, which will be published on the front cover of an EU booklet and hung on display in the House of Commons.

"All the paintings were absolutely brilliant and it was clear a lot of hard work and thought went into them all," said MP Devine.

"As always there can be only one winner and Scott and myself had a hard time picking what we thought was the best one so I must congratulate all the children involved for all their efforts.

"We were also very impressed by the narrative the children gave us explaining the concept behind their artwork. Their head teachers can be proud of all the entries.

"As West Lothian's entry into the national competition, I believe Carmondean's will be in with a great chance of winning and I will hopefully see it regularly if it is chosen to be hung in the House of Commons."

The Carmondean painting shows hands from all the different EU nations reaching in to a circle of the EU flag, which symbolises dialogue around a table.

Jan Lumsden, head teacher at Carmondean, said: "The children, from P3 to P7, used a host of different techniques to create the painting and they all had some input into its ideology.

"The children worked extremely hard on the painting, which took a day and a half to do and we have some very talented artists at the school. The school is very proud of this."