Pictured at the presentation of Translink's Ulster in Bloom Art Competition prizes is internationally acclaimed artist Rita Duffy from Belfast, Kelly Magill from Beechlawn School, Hillsborough who was awarded Highly Commended in the Special Education category, Sean McGreevy, Acting Special Services Manager and Veronica Palmer Chairman. This year's theme was David Hockney.

A TRIO of young artists from schools in the Lisburn area have been highly commended in one of Northern Ireland's biggest annual art competitions.

Alisha Bothwell from Hunterhouse College, Aoife McGivern from Rathmore and Kelly Magill from Beechlawn received their prizes from Translink's Acting Special Services Manager Sean

McGreevy at a presentation in the Laganside Bus Centre last Friday.

Their work and that of the 19 other shortlisted artists will be displayed at Central Station over the coming weeks.

The works can also be viewed on Translink's web-site www.translink.co.uk The three local girls competed against hundreds of entries from schools all

over Northern Ireland in the competition which centred round the theme of one of pop art's founding fathers David Hockney. Students were invited to interpret what they see or would like to see from their window.

The judging panel was headed by local artist Rita Duffy who said the entries had really 'made an impression' with her and her colleagues.

"It's clear from the pieces we have seen just how much time and effort was put in, by both teachers and pupils, using a range of media with stunning effects.

The pieces, which were eventually chosen as winners, really reflect the Hockney brief," she added. Translink's Chairman Veronica Palmer said the standard of entries had been "superb".

Pictured at the presentation of Translink's Ulster in Bloom Art Competition prizes is international acclaimed artist Rita Duffy from Belfast. Aoife McGivern from Rathmore Grammar who was awarded Highly Commended in the year 9 category, Sean McGreevy, Acting Special Services Manager an Veronica Palmer Chairman. This year's theme was David Hockney.	Pictured at the presentation of Translink's Ulster in Bloom Art Competition prizes is internationally acclaimed artist Rita Duffy from Belfast. Alisha Bothwell from Hunterhouse College who was awarded Highly Commended in the year 9 category, Sean McGreevy, Acting Special Services Manager and Veronica Palmer Chairman. This year's theme was David Hockney.

Ulster Star
18/04/2008