Radius Community Art Competition Winners

Young people bring ‘Art from the Heart’ to Radius Homes

Press release - 9th June 2020

The judges have spoken! After hundreds of budding Banksy’s and Picasso’s from across Northern Ireland submitted their entries to Radius Housing’s ‘Art from the Heart’ Competition, the winners have been announced.

Last month Radius called upon children and young people of all ages and abilities to take a blank page or canvas and fill it with their ideas, using whatever creative materials they have at home. These would be given to residents of nursing homes, care homes and sheltered schemes during this time when they’re not seeing relatives or friends.

After hours of careful deliberation by the judging panel, made up of celebrated Derry/ Londonderry artist Conor Larkin, Executive Director of ArtsEkta, Nisha Tandon, Conor Shields from Community Arts Partnership and Diana Fitzsimons Chair of Radius Housing, Shayna Velasquez from Belfast was judged to be the overall winner, with Niamh McCay from Strabane declared runner-up.

Judges were supremely impressed by the quality of entries and many will be displayed in Radius’ sheltered housing and residential care homes with plans to display some of the top entries in locations right across Northern Ireland.

John McLean, Chief Executive of Radius Housing, said

“We have been overwhelmed by the quality and quantity of entries. There is certainly an incredible level of creativity in children and young people across Northern Ireland. The COVID-19 crisis has been a difficult time for all of us, and particularly for children, who haven’t been able to see friends, and those in care homes, who haven’t been able to see family. ‘Art from the Heart’ has done a little bit to help raise spirits and bring a smile to their faces.

“On behalf of Radius I would like to offer congratulations to Shayna Velasquez, and all of the category winners.”

The winners are:

Overall Winner - Shayna Velasquez, Belfast

Runner up - Niamh McCay, Strabane

• Your happy Place category (3-7 year olds)
• Radius Community Mascot (8-13 year olds)
• Community Spirit (14-18 year olds)
• Community (Aged 18 and under Children and Young People with Special Education Needs)

Winner - Ella Harker, Aughnacloy

Runner up - Sophie Wray, Antrim

Winner - Sophie Campbell, Carrowdore

Runner up - Jason Reid, Portrush

Winner - Aodhon Wynn, Castlewellan

Runner up - Molly McKay, Portadown

Winner - Morgan Lannigan, Antrim

Runner up - Odhran Maguire, Boho, Fermanagh

ENDS

Further Info:

Brendan Scott

MW Advocate

07834422923

brendan.scott@mwadvocate.com