Launch of Credit Union Art Competition
Media Release: 31 August 2011
ALL NEW ALL IRELAND ART COMPETITION
Over 30,000 entries expected for 28th Credit Union Art Competition!
Competition is one of the biggest art projects on the island of Ireland.
The Irish League of Credit Unions has today launched a completely new All-Ireland Credit Union Art Competition. The former poster competition has this year changed to an ‘art’ competition to encourage wider participation across the 32 counties but also to allow for greater artistic freedom and expression.
The competition, which attracts over 30,000 entries each year, will be run through a network of over 497 credit unions located throughout the island of Ireland. The theme of this year’s revamped competition is ‘Ireland through my Eyes’ which is open to interpretation by each entrant.
Speaking at the launch, Jimmy Johnstone, President of the Irish League of Credit Unions said: “The main aim of this competition is to encourage interest in creativity and art and the huge volume of entries we receive year on year is the reason why we continue to run our annual, all-Ireland competition. It is one of our flagship events and we are delighted to see the variety, flair and creativity of the young people of Ireland who enter the competition on an annual basis. The competition has been going from strength to strength and we are determined to continue supporting budding artists into the future".
He continued: “I want to say a huge thank you to the hundreds of credit union volunteers and staff throughout the country who run the annual competition and I want to take this opportunity to wish every entrant an enjoyable and instructive time creating their entry.”
How the Credit Union Art Competition Works
There are two categories in the 2011 national Art Competition – General and Special. Each category will have the following age groups:
- 7 years and under
- 8-10 years
- 11-13 years
- 14-17 years
- 18 years and over
The Special Category encourages participants with a physical or intellectual disability to submit entries in free expression without the restriction of the competition’s official theme (should they so wish).
Local winners at credit union level in each category go forward to Regional Finals. Winning entries from regional level go through to the National Final. Prizes will be awarded at each stage and a National Awards Ceremony will be held in February 2012 at the Gresham Hotel and will be hosted by TV personality Marty Whelan.
All entries must be submitted to your local Credit Union. For further information, please contact your local Credit Union for closing dates.
FEED YOUR IMAGINATION: Pictured at the launch of the all new, all Ireland Credit Union ART Competition were Jamie Clarke aged 9 from Lucan and TV personality Marty Whelan