Youngsters paint path to glory in art awards

SOME 36 youngsters yesterday received certificates and cash prizes for their successes in one of the country’s biggest art competitions that attracted over 30,000 entries.

At a special awards ceremony in Dublin’s Gresham Hotel, the budding artists from across Ireland were rewarded for poster designs to promote the role of Credit Unions.

The awards were presented by Anne O’Byrne, President of the Irish League of Credit Unions, and television presenter and painter Frank Clarke.

The winning posters will be featured in the ILCU Annual Calendar for 2007.

“Since credit unions are Ireland’s only community-run financial services provider we know the importance of investing in local talent,” said Ms O’Byrne.

More than 30,000 entries were received for the prestigious competition, now in its 22nd year.

“The standard of work and the sheer creativity we’ve seen in this competition is really exciting,” Mr Clarke said.

“This credit union poster competition is unearthing some real talent.

“It’s great to see a nationally respected organisation like the ILCU so committed to the encouragement and development of artistic talent.”

The theme for this year’s competition was ‘Credit Unions can make it happen’ with entrants encouraged to express their creativity through a variety of media.

“This theme and the freedom entrants had to express themselves is a good reflection of what credit unions are all about,” said Ms O’Byrne.