Winners announced in trust's Grampian Schools Art Competition
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The Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) has announced the winners of its 2020 Grampian Schools Art Competition.
Despite the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, the trust was determined to run the contest with sponsorship from 13 local Grampian estates and artist Mel Shand giving her time to head the judging panel.
Rona Fraser from Inverurie Academy won the secondary schools’ competition with her colourful creation of a swan.
The overall winner of the primary schools’ contest was Ruby Hanington from Drumblade Primary with her drawing of an owl.
Iona Laing, who organises the competition for GWCT, said: “2020 provided the perfect opportunity to offer a distraction for the young artists, something to help relieve the stresses of Covid-19 and all the changes it has brought.
"And the competition could not have happened without the tremendous efforts of all the teachers who were right behind it even during such busy times for them. The result was a great array of colourful creations.”
Mel Shand, the competition’s lead judge, said: “The artwork was outstanding. Some of the drawings were extremely well observed, and others had a very good design quality. Yet more had great colour choices.”
The prizes included art workshops with Mel Shand, family passes to the GWCT Scottish Game Fair at Scone Palace in September and a farm visit organised by Royal Highland Education Trust for Ruby’s whole class. All artists receive certificates and a supply of art materials.
There was also a prize for the best 50-word description of the art work, with the primary prize won by Evie Brown from Rhynie and the secondary prize won by Erin Bone from Inverurie.
Ms Laing added: “Despite not being able to host a prize giving event to celebrate all the excellent entries, every effort is being made by schools to commend everyone’s efforts.
"We very much hope to launch this competition again in the autumn term.”
The GWCT Scotland events Facebook page has a gallery of all the competition art work.
Estates sponsoring the competition included Finzean; Ballogie; Dinnet and Kinord; Glen Tanar; Learney; Findrack and Tillyfour; Leys; Balmoral; Invercauld; The MacRobert Trust; Aboyne Castle; Kincardine; and Dunecht.
Schools seeking further information about the competition can contact ilaing@gwct.org.uk
