School children’s artwork was celebrated during a special online ceremony hosted by dot-art Schools and Edge Hill University – and the community have the chance to see the creations at a new public exhibition. 

Primary and secondary pupils from 90 schools across the Liverpool City Region and beyond took part in the inter-school art competition and winning entries will be displayed at an exhibition in the iconic Port of Liverpool Building at Liverpool’s Pier Head. 

Student volunteers will help run the exhibition and when it closes some of the artworks will be on display at Edge Hill’s campus in Ormskirk for students, staff and visitors to enjoy.  

Associate Dean of Edge Hill’s Faculty of Education, Dr Helen O’Keeffe said: “After such a challenging 18 months for children and young people, we are very keen to support opportunities for their creative expression and reflections on their experiences.”

“By supporting dot-art Schools we have helped to promote creativity and good mental health in schools, something that is key to our curriculum here at the University. The art produced by the schools was awe-inspiring and I’d encourage everyone to visit Port of Liverpool Building to see the exhibition.” 

The awards were presented live from the University’s state of the art TV studios by guest judge Susan M Coles, past President of The National Society for Education in Art & Design, with classmates and families taking part via video link. The event was recorded and can be viewed via our Youtube channel here:

Photos: Behind the scenes with the media team at Edge Hill University TV studio.

Carolyn Murray, dot-art Schools project manager said: “The standard this year has been absolutely incredible. Children have embraced the competition and produced fascinating art, much of it expressing their feelings towards the pandemic and the unprecedented events of the last 15 months. The result is some of the best and most emotive art we’ve ever had. It was an absolute pleasure to see the winners presented with their awards on Thursday.” 

The dot-art Schools 2021 Overall Primary Winner is Jack Kent, a year 5 pupil of Bridgemere Primary School for “Dandelion Seed Burst” his stunning mixed media composition bursting with life.  Photos: Jack with Lorraine Partington of Edge Hill University presenting his prizes, with his his proud art teacher Mrs Smart and showing off his certificate to the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Cllr Mary Rasmussen who attended the special photo call held after the awards.

The Primary Runners-up are Hannah Jeffery, a year 5 pupil of Blackmoor Park Junior School for “The Mystical Galaxy” a wonderful painting on canvas; and Xavier Edgington-Lynch, a year 5 pupil of Pinehurst Primary School for his evocative work “Space City” created with laser cut wood and spray paint. Photos: Hannah with her overall runner up artwork and Xavier with his artwork and proud teacher.

The dot-art Schools 2021 Overall Secondary Winner is Alexander White, a year 9 pupil of Chesterfield High School for his brilliant oil pastel drawing “Fauvist Dog close up” which references The Fauves, an early 20th century painting movement which used bold, unnatural colours. Photos: Alexander receiving his prizes from Lorraine Partington of Edge Hill University and with his delighted family.

The Secondary Runners up are Iftiyaz Alam, a year 9 pupil of Childwall Sports and Science Academy for his photograph “Reflection” which offered a thoughtful observation on the pandemic and Nia Plange, a year 9 pupil of Liverpool College for her imaginative pen drawing “Mythical Creatures 4”.  Photos: Iftiyaz with two proud teachers and Nia with her proud Mum!

The exhibition of the winning works is open from 11th – 25th June in the iconic Port of Liverpool Building at the Pier Head, 12-6pm Monday to Saturday and it’s FREE entry. On display are artworks by talented Year 5 and Year 9 students.  Here is a whistle stop tour of the dot-art Schools 2021 exhibition.

Lucy Byrne, Managing Director of dot-art said: “Over the years the competition has had incredible feedback about the confidence it gives to young people and the exhibition is a huge part of that, allowing children to go and see their art professionally displayed in a high profile public venue.” 

“Working with Edge Hill University we’ve been able to extend the reach and impact of the programme, resulting in a huge range of artworks from more than 90 primary and secondary schools.” 

Throughout the project, children have been encouraged to explore their artistic side, the aim of the project being to increase the pupil’s self-esteem by celebrating their art and giving them a chance to process their thoughts and feelings through creativity.