The prestigious Fermanagh Feis Art and Design competition took place at Fermanagh House on Saturday, February 23. The young artists’ brilliant work was displayed proudly for all to see.

The cultural competition showcases the young, bright, up and coming talent within the arts in Fermanagh.

This year’s adjudicator for Art and Design entries was multi-talented local artist Kevin McHugh, whose work ranges from large-scale murals to portraits and book illustrations.

Kevin had the difficult task of adjudicating the entries from the different year groups from Primary One all the way up to Secondary level Year 12. The competition saw a huge number of entries from primary schools all over Fermanagh and even a few from Tyrone.

The creative themes within the competition ranged from ‘invaders from space’ to ‘the greatest thing in the world’. The winning entries chosen from each year group are lucky enough to have their work framed and displayed throughout Fermanagh House for a month.

The first-place winners for of the Art and Design section are as follows. The range of winners were varied in their ages and theme categories.

Primary One pupil Áine Cox of Mullanaskea Primary School won first place for her picture of her favourite animal.

Primary Two pupil Lexi Robinson of St Davog’s Belleek won first place for her take for Invaders from space.

Primary Three pupil Ellie-Grace of Lisbellaw Primary School won first prize for her picture on her favourite toy.

Primary Four pupil Olivia Muras of The Model Primary School, Enniskillen won first place for her picture of Rocket to the Moon.

St Davog’s Primary School Belleek had victory again with Primary Five pupil Rio Gormley winning first place with a picture of a Windy Day.

Primary Six pupil Seaneen Breen of St. Mary’s Tempo Primary School came first place with a picture of Sports Day.

Primary Seven pupil Vite Lavrenova Enniskillen’s Holy Trinity Primary School won first place for My favourite story book picture.

In the Secondary Schools, Year 8 student from Enniskillen Royal Grammar School Madison Blair won first place for her take on under the sea.

Year Nine student Lauren Hughes from St. Aidan’s Derrylin won first prize for her idea of the greatest thing in the world.

Year 10 student Cameron Tripp of Enniskillen Royal Grammar School won first place for the magnificent beast and creatures’ picture.

St Aidan’s Derrylin kept their lucky strike up with Year 11 student Rachel Waterson from St. Aidan’s winning first place and Year 12 student Lauren McGovern winning first place for their pieces on their own original themes.

Secretary for the art and design section of the Feis, Ita McManus spoke about the importance of involving young people in art and design she said:

“Most children find art a pleasure and it’s a nice leisurely pastime.”

Commenting on the choice of Fermanagh House to display the incredible art work winners of the Feis, Ita said “Fermanagh House is a great cross-community space. We have schools from all sections of the community here and I think it’s a nice open place, everybody feels comfortable to go.”

The Feis continues and the competition is sure to be equally tough in the Classical Music, Traditional Music, Drama, History, Irish Language and Verse categories.

These category competitions will take place throughout the months of March and April.