Winners of NI100 Art Competition announced

Education Minister, Michelle McIlveen, has held an event for school pupils to celebrate the Department of Education’s NI100 Art Competition.

Education Minister Michelle McIlveen and Mia Bengnini, Hunterhouse College, Belfast

Competition winners and runners-up were presented with their prizes at the event held in Parliament Buildings yesterday.

Announcing the winning entries, the Minister said: “The aim of the NI100 Art Competition was for pupils to share their love of the stunning landscapes, natural beauty, people and places of Northern Ireland in 2021 and reflect on the meaning of home and family.

“Over 1,100 entries to the competition were received from pupils, although, as schools were limited to three entries per category, the total number of participants was significantly higher.

“I want to thank all those pupils who took part and shared their fantastic art work. 

The art competition is part of the Department’s wider NI100 Education Programme, which marks the centenary of the establishment of Northern Ireland in 1921. 

Mia Begnini was announced as the overall winner and her school, Hunter House College, Belfast, received £1,000 to spend on art materials for pupils.

Concluding the Minister said: “This was an exciting opportunity for children and young people across Northern Ireland to participate in a centenary art competition.

“This competition has proved to be a great way to motivate our young artists, showcase their talents and further develop their creative skills.”

Prizes of £200, £150 and £100 were awarded for first, second and third across five age categories, as well as separate categories for pupils attending Special Schools. 

Notes to editors: 

1. The NI100 Education Programme has a strong curricular focus and is designed to underpin and enhance the teaching of key areas of learning across the curriculum, particularly World Around Us, History, ICT and entrepreneurship education.   
2. The Programme includes a range of shared history resources, a coding programme for primary school pupils, NI100 time capsules, education entrepreneurship and a School in 1921 event.
3. Along with their framed artwork, winners and runners-up were presented with trophies and certificates by the Education Minister in the Long Gallery.
4. Follow us on Twitter @Education_ni (external link opens in a new window / tab)(external link opens in a new window / tab)
5. Media enquiries to the Department of Education Press Office at Press.Office@education-ni.gov.uk
6. The Executive Information Service operates an out-of-hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

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