This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Awards for artists of the future
15/09/2004
Thirty young artists today received their awards in the National Galleries of Scotland Playfair Children's Art Competition.
Launched in May 2004, the Playfair Children's Art Prize was open to all primary and secondary schools across Scotland.
Pupils were asked to go online and look at three works of art from the Galleries' collections and make their own visual response on paper.
NGS were overwhelmed by the schools' response, receiving over 1,200 entries from across Scotland, including the Western Isles and the Shetlands.
Culture Minister Frank McAveety said:
"The superb work on display by these young artists demonstrates the amazing talent we have in Scotland. The fact that so many young people entered this competition shows that we are right to place emphasis on creating opportunities and access to excellence.
"I congratulate the winners and I also congratulate the education department of NGS for their imaginative programme."
The top prize-winners work can be seen on the NGS website www.nationalgalleries.org.
They have also been transformed into screensavers in the pupils' own schools and offices of the NGS.
Other winning prizes include digital cameras, a wealth of art materials, free artist-led workshops, and a range of special posters and books.
Emma Nicolson, Head of Education at NGS, said:
"We are delighted that the competition to launch the opening of new education facilities in the Weston Link attracted so many entries from across Scotland.
"All the lucky winners can now view their work on our website and this is exciting not only for them, but for us too since it is the first time we have been able to display children's art on-line."
The main winning schools were Prestonfield Primary and, Sciennes Primary, Edinburgh; Linlithgow Primary, West Lothian; St Mary's Primary, Bo'ness; St Ninians, Stirling; Kinloch Primary, Carnoustie; Woodmill High School, Dunfermline; St Patrick High School, Coatbridge; and Harris Academy, Dundee.