Art contest pupils in the frame for high praise

SCHOOL pupils produced some “outstanding” work when they entered Renfrewshire’s annual Inspired Art Competition.

Now 122 of the 678 entries of drawings and paintings are on display in a free exhibition, at The Tannahill Centre, in Blackstoun Road, Paisley, until April 20.

Two of the talented pupils – Aine Currie, aged 14, from St Andrew’s Academy, Paisley and 11-year-old Innes Baker from Elderslie’s Wallace Primary – have had their artwork chosen to be turned into posters promoting the exhibition.

And 13 of the paintings and drawings in the exhibition will be used as the artwork for the Renfrewshire Schools 2021 Calendar.

The exhibition aims to showcase the development of young people’s art and design work from three and four year olds, to the more sophisticated pieces, which form a Fifth or Sixth Year pupils’ portfolio for national qualifications.

For the first time, this year’s competition had a drawing section in honour of well-known Paisley artist, John Byrne

The competition is organised by Renfrewshire Leisure, whose chairperson, Councillor Lisa-Marie Hughes said: “Some of the work from the secondary pupils was outstanding and the artwork from nursery and primary pupils showed they have lots of potential, as they displayed great imagination and maturity in their drawings and paintings.

“Judging which pieces of artwork should be exhibited was very difficult and I would encourage people to go along to the Tannahill Centre and see for themselves the brilliant artwork on show.”