Wicklow Students Shine in Children’s Art Competition

Nine young artists from Wicklow have been recognised among Ireland’s most talented in the 71st Texaco Children’s Art Competition, one of the country’s longest-running and most celebrated art contests.

Seventeen-year-old Amélie McAndrew, a student at Temple Carrig School in Greystones, secured third prize in the 16-18 years category with her powerful painting titled Beach Day.

The piece was praised by final adjudicator Pauline O’Connell, who highlighted its inventive use of perspective, strong foreshortening, and expressive detail, describing it as a vivid and emotionally charged portrayal.

In addition to Amélie’s top-three finish, eight other Wicklow students were awarded Special Merit Certificates for work described by judges as showing “high levels of skill and creativity.”

The recipients included Zack Waldron (17) from Arklow C.B.S., Éala Ní hAaimhirgín (16) of Gaelcholáiste na Mara, Arklow, and Caelum Hanway (15) from New Court School, Bray.

Younger awardees included Oisín Briggs (13) of Greystones Community College, Rita Ruitong Chen (11) from Ravenswell Primary School, Iris May Dunne (7) from Gaelscoil Chill Mhantáin in Rathnew, Síomha Foley (6) from Scoil Chualann, Bray, and Blake Balfe (13) of All Saints’ National School in Carnew.

Now in its 71st year, the Texaco Children’s Art Competition continues to be a cornerstone of arts education in Ireland, offering generations of young people a platform to express their creativity and be recognised on a national stage.