Art competition attracts outstanding young talent

There is something quite humbling about standing before the works of the finalists of this year's All-Ireland Credit Union Art Competition.

Marty Whelan, who has hosted the finals for the past four years, sums it up: “I couldn’t draw a straight line,” he says, as he surveys this year’s finalists: “The achievement level here is quite something”.

A quick survey of the room gives truth to what he’s saying. There are so many great works on display: a painting of a peacock by Clodagh McDonagh of Macroom Credit Union which takes first prize in the eight- to 10-year-old category; a collage by Class 3 of St Bridget’s Special School which makes use of shells and wool to depict a colourful underwater world; Luke Collins who has included everything from hopscotch to hot air balloons to a Chinese dragon in his entry.

Among this year’s winners is a painting by Shania McDonagh, a fifth year student from Claremorris, who has either won or received a merit in her category for the past five years running.

Her winning entry in this year’s competition features an old man while last year’s featured an old woman smiling beneath an umbrella. So why does she enjoy drawing older people? “It’s the texture of the skin,” explains the talented young artist.

Sarah Leddy (13) drew her inspiration from the competition’s theme, “Artfest”.

“I thought of making a crown out of different pencils and paintbrushes,” says Sarah, who is from Inniskeen, Co Louth, and who aspires to be a cartoonist or to work on stage and film productions. I draw a lot but I don’t really enter many competitions. I think if you win it gives you confidence in what you’re doing.”

Motivation comes in many forms. Asked why he entered the competition 18-year-old Alex Wright from Rathmore, Co Kerry, said he originally entered “to make some money”.

“I never expected to get this far, let alone win,” he says, noting the high calibre of entries in his category.

“My plan for the future is to do multimedia in Cork Institute of Technology,” he says, adding that it was a discipline that combines his interest in art, music and IT.

Now in it’s 31st year, the Credit Union Art Competition drew 30,000 entries from 32 counties this year.

Speaking at the event, president of the Irish League of Credit Unions said “the artists here today should be extremely proud of themselves and the quality of the artwork displayed is truly outstanding”.

The judges for this year’s competition were: John Walsh, creative director of Focus Advertising Agency; artist Ursula Retzlaff O’Connell; cartoonist John Farrelly; and graffiti artist Vents.