Awards honour talented young artists

TALENTED young artists from North East Lincolnshire have been recognised at a special awards ceremony.

More than 200 pupils from 26 schools and colleges took part in this year's Rotary Club of Grimsby Havelok's Young Painter of the Year competition.

ART-TASTIC: The Mayor of North East Lincolnshire, Councillor Sue Pickett, her consort Doug Pickett and the president of the Rotary Club of Grimsby Havelok, Sylvia Appleby, with artwork by Emily Andrews, which won the Key Stage Four category. Buy these photographs at www.thisisphotosales.co.uk/grimsby
first prize: Rotary Club secretary John Armstrong with the winning entry by Lucy Gill Banks Miller.
delighted: Winner Charlotte King, from Humberston CofE Primary.
big smile: Winner Alfie Artist, from Signhills Infant School.
young talent: Winners (from left) Kayleigh Walker, of Oasis Academy Immingham; Stefania Olafsdottir, of Healing School; Steven Kane, of Humberston Park School; and Emily Andrews, of Humberston Maths and Computing College.
proud moment: Left, some of those who won awards on the night.
high standards: Right, Francesca Young, from Grimsby Institute, with her work, which was judged runner-up in the Key Stage Five category.

The entries, which went on display at Cleethorpes Discovery Centre earlier this month, were judged by three local artists, and the winners were announced at a presentation night at Grimsby Town Hall.

Grimsby Institute student Lucy Gill Banks Miller was named young painter of the year for her portrait of a baby eating an ice cream, but was unfortunately not present to pick up her award.

Certificates were also handed out to the winners in each of the six different categories, ranging from key stage one to five, as well as the inclusion stage for pupils with special needs.

There was also a special President's Award, chosen by the Rotary Club's president Sylvia Appleby, which went to Oasis Academy Immingham pupil Kayleigh Walker.

A proud Kayleigh, 14, said: "I was really happy and excited to win. I entered the competition because I thought it would be fun. I painted a cartoon character riding a dragon. It took me about an hour to paint."

John Armstrong, secretary of the Rotary Club, said: "We are really pleased with how this year's competition has gone, and we would really like more schools to take part next year.

"We provide a platform for the pupils – they just need to grasp that opportunity to take part. It is tremendously exciting for them when they win a prize.

"Next year we are going to be offering a £100 cash prize which should provide even more of an incentive for people to take part."

Mark Carlton, senior partner at Wilkin Chapman Grange Solicitors in Grimsby, which sponsored the competition for the second year running, said: "We are really pleased to be able to sponsor this event. The standard of the artwork was excellent and it's nice to see so many children here with their parents. It's been a very enjoyable evening."

The Mayor of North East Lincolnshire, Sue Pickett, who presented the awards, said: "It's a great event and is a really good way of showcasing talent in the area. The artwork was amazing."

Find out more

For more information about the competition, visit havelokrotary.org.uk or call 01472 750300.