Yesterday, Monday February 27th, the winners of the Sightsavers Junior Painter of the Year Awards 2017 were unveiled in The Science Gallery, Dublin.  This year’s theme ‘Framing the Future’ inspired thousands of creative entries from over 200 primary schools nationwide.  The annual competition was devised by Sightsavers to inspire Irish children to express their artistic talent through painting, whilst developing an appreciation of the importance and value of their sight and the additional challenges facing those living with visual impairment in developing countries.   

This year’s overall winner was 8 year old Dylan Williams from Ennis National School, County Clare for his wonderful creation ‘In the Future I Will Live in a Music City’. Second and third place went to Ella Taylor (7 years) from Scoil Mhuire na nGael, Dundalk County Louth and Shane Maher (12 years) from Scoil Naomh Cualán, Borrisoleigh County Tipperary. For the first time ever, because the standard of entry was so high, the judges broke all the rules and awarded a 4th National prize.  This went to Sarah Mullaney, aged 12, from Midfield National School, Swinford Co. Mayo. The winners were thrilled to meet the News2Day host, Gill Stedman, who presented the prizes and took the time to congratulate the young artists.   

Catrina Sheridan, CEO of Sightsavers Ireland said: “What was clear from all the remarkable entries is that the children of Ireland have a strong sense of what the future should be like. Currently 90% of children in developing countries who lose their sight don’t get to go to school.  These brilliant young artists have shown us a future where everyone has a chance to learn, earn and be happy.  I would like to congratulate all those who entered, it is wonderful that through this national competition, students and teachers can gain awareness of the important work Sightsavers provides – helping to prevent avoidable blindness and working for equality of opportunity for those living with visual impairment.”

This year’s “Framing the Future” theme was judged by Joan Bergin, Laureate na nÓg PJ Lynch, and artist and Director of Arts and Disability Ireland Padraig Naughton. They were astounded by the entries received and especially noted the fantastic expression, colour and time that went into each and every painting. 
The children queued enthusiastically to have treasured books autographed by PJ Lynch, whose many book illustrations take pride of place in the libraries of their schools.

Head of Arts & Disability Ireland, Padraig Naughton, spoke of his experience growing up in Ireland at a time when being born with a visual impairment meant having to leave his family at a very young age to receive an education, bringing home to our audiences the additional challenges faced by those living with visual impairment in developing countries, where resources are so limited.

The winning top three schools receive substantial cash prizes, which have been generously pledged by The Irish Times. The 15 finalists receive creative toolkit from ReCreate Ireland, and the top three schools additionally receive memberships of ReCreate, allowing them free access to a warehouse of arts and crafts materials for a year. The competition sponsors generously supported the judges’ request to acknowledge a 4th place national winner this year, with once-off prizes for this unique award. Each child that entered received a Certificate of Participation in recognition of their creative efforts.

The 15 finalist paintings will be exhibited in Powerscourt Townhouse Centre from July 1st through to August 5th. These are: