ART SUCCESS FOR SIBFORD PUPILS
26 Jun 2013
Two Sibford School pupils are enjoying success as published artists after winning national competitions.
The front cover of a new book being sold in aid of the People’s Book Prize Charity, which helps eradicate illiteracy, features a drawing by 11-year-old Shae Wallis.
Meanwhile, a design by 16-year-old Joe Slatter has been adorning billboards across the UK … including one on London’s Tottenham Court Road.
Word Power … An Anthology goes on sale this month price £4.99. Published by Mauve Square it features a selection of short stories, poetry and illustrations submitted by primary school children as part of a competition run jointly by the publishers and The Society of Heads.
Shae, whose cover drawing is entitled ‘Words give light’, said: “I feel books make the world a brighter place. My drawing shows a girl reading under a lamp. She is in colour while everything around her is grey. Her shadow is made up of the words she is reading.”
Joe Slatter was a prizewinner in a competition run by Arts University Bournemouth. Open to pupils in Years 10 – 13 and foundation/diploma students, the competition challenged entrants to creatively answer the question: ‘Who Are You?’.
A panel of experts shortlisted entries which then went to public vote via Facebook. The top 20 entries were distributed across 75 billboards nationwide.
Joe said: “My piece questions how people like to think of themselves as special, which I represented through the phrase ‘not your average Joe’. However, hidden in the background, is the deeper meaning that in fact with so many of us on earth we are all nobodies.
“I was really surprised to find out that I was a winner as the competition was on an international scale and saw over 14,000 votes cast on Facebook.
“I loved the idea of my artwork appearing on billboards because it meant anybody from all walks of life was able to see it and I am very grateful to the organisers at Arts University Bournemouth who made it possible.”
Photo: Joe Slatter’s winner entry.