The judges have announced the winners of the My Cheshire Children’s Art Competition.
The Competition, partnered by The Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership and Chester based artist Nicky Thompson and sponsored by Marketing Cheshire, was open to youngsters aged from 4-11.
The awards are split into 2 age categories: 4-7 and 8-11…with a winner and two runners up in each category.
All winners and runners-up will receive a professional set of coloured pencils, and the 6 winners will see their designs adorn 12 station platforms on the Mid Cheshire Line Stations which connects Chester to Manchester via Northwich, Knutsford, Altrincham and Stockport.
There has also been a montage created of all 90 entrant’s paintings which will be displayed on the Mid Cheshire Line platforms and throughout Cheshire.
A free A2 copy of this montage is available for all entrants by providing your full name and address at paintings@midcheshirerail.org.uk
The winner of the 4-7 years group was Iris Morley’s Butterfly painting with Gustav Pastore’s Train on the Arches coming second and Olivia Tickell’s Gruffalo at Delamere Forest taking the third award.
The winner of the 8- 11 year’s group was Grace Nicholson’s Lion at Chester Zoo, with Fran Robinson’s Peckforton Castle coming second and Kaitlin Marshall’s Brio Leisure Centre in Northwich taking the third award. Sam Nicholson was also Highly Commended.
The judges were also impressed with the wonderful Andy Warhol inspired Cheshire Cheeses, the beautiful day out with mum in Nantwich and the magnificent Ted the Giraffe!
John Hulme, a member of the Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership and President of Cheshire Best Kept Stations said:
“With 90 entries, this has been one of our most difficult competitions to judge.
“There were entries from all over Cheshire and post Covid-19 I am looking forward to seeing our Mid Cheshire Line platforms adorned with these fantastic poster-paintings.
“In these unprecedented times, the Competition has been a winner for all in the community especially those schoolchildren at home during lock-down.”
Artist Nicky Thompson, who is partnering the competition with the CRP, said:
“For the past month these wonderful artworks have been arriving every morning in my inbox, providing colour and hope in these dark times.
“It’s been a real privilege to see Cheshire through the eyes of its youngest citizens.”
Katrina Michel, from CH1 Bid, said:
“It was lovely to see the images that means something to these young people – a speeding train over a viaduct, a straining race horse, a magnificent lion, cathedrals and castles and of course a day out with mum as well as more abstract renditions that allow us to see Cheshire a bit differently through young eyes.”
“What a brilliant array of images and what talent for the future.”
Marketing Cheshire’s Nicola Said commented:
“It has been a pleasure to sponsor and support this brilliant Art Competition that has helped our schoolchildren get through these difficult times.
“It has also been magical how they have portrayed our marvellous Cheshire landmarks which we are all looking forward to visiting once again in the future”