Junior Painter 2022: young artists wow judges at prizegiving ceremony

Prizewinners of Sightsavers Ireland’s Junior Painter of the Year competition have been celebrating their artwork at an awards ceremony held at the People’s Pavilion at the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA).

Primary school children across Ireland are invited to enter the annual competition by creating an art piece that shows their understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals and how the goals can help people with disabilities to be included in society. This year’s theme was ‘Include me as I am’ and entrants were also asked to complete challenges on Sightsavers’ award-winning Put Us in the Picture educational website.

From more than 250 entries, 19 winners were selected across five categories. Aoife from Donegal impressed judges for another year in a row with her accomplished drawing and received her second award for the overall national first prize.

The overall national winner Aoife received a €200 voucher for Universal Art Supplies, a ReCreate Ireland art workshop and an annual ReCreate membership for her school.

First overall runner-up Brooke received 24 Derwent Inktense colour pencils in a wooden case, two themed boxes of art supplies from ReCreate Ireland and an annual ReCreate membership for her school.

Second overall runner-up Lyla received 24 Derwent Inktense colour pencils in a wooden case and an annual ReCreate membership for her school.

All 19 prizewinners received a certificate and a personalised plaque, their framed artwork, a Sightsavers gift bag and a toolkit from ReCreate Ireland.

The awards ceremony took place on 10 June at the People’s Pavilion of the Irish Museum of Modern Art. Guests were treated to entertainment from Reuben the Entertainer, and Sightsavers Ireland’s CEO Feargal O’Connell led the proceedings.

View the gallery below to enjoy the award-winning artwork.