The pen proves mightier than the pencil at the Texaco Children’s Art Competition

As one of the longest running and most well-known competitions in Ireland, the Texaco Children’s Art Competition is always a huge draw.

Thu, 16 Apr, 2015 - 01:00

Kelly O'Brien

This year, out of the thousands who applied, the top prize went to 18-year-old Frances Treanor from Monaghan. Her prize-winning work, a self-portrait completed in black ballpoint pen, won the senior 16-18 age category of the contest.

“When I was told I had won, I was so shocked. I never thought it would happen,” said Frances.

“I’ve done many portraits in pencil before but this time I wanted to try something different, something I had not done previously. I had seen black ballpoint pens used before and I thought that, since this was my last year entering the competition, I would give it a shot. It certainly paid off.”

Frances is no stranger to the annual competition, which is now in its 61st year: She won prizes in 2013 and in 2012 took second place in her age category. This work featured in an exhibition in Tokyo.

Frances, who is studying at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin with her twin sister Maeve, this year takes home the first prize of €1,500. The second prize, worth €1,000, goes to 16-year-old Oliwia Widuto from Derry, while third place goes to Janné Strydom, 17, from Wexford.

Laoise McDonald

Among the younger winners, Laoise McDonald, 8, from Galway and Pippa McIntosh, 7, from Kinsale Art Academy, excelled in their age category, as did six-year-old Seán O’Reilly, from Ballinlough, Cork.

Seán O'Reilly

The top 21 winning works will remain on exhibition at the Hugh Lane gallery until Sunday, May 31. The gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday and admission is free.