The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport has announced the winners in its inaugural National Mashramani Child Art Competition and Exhibition which formed part of its programme to celebrate Guyana’s 42nd Republic Anniversary.
“We all express our feelings, our hopes and our aspirations in many ways. We do so in words, through songs, poems, in other forms of literature but also through art. This art exhibition allows us an insight into how our children view Mashramani. It is an opportunity to peer into their still young and impressionable minds,” First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar was quoted as saying by the Government Information Agency (GINA), in her address at opening of the exhibition at the Umana Yana.
According to Coordinator of Mashramani Child Art Competition Philbert Gajadhar, the competition was judged by originality, clarity and presentation.
Children from five different age groups participated in three categories of the competition, GINA said.
Bibi Shamara Abdool, of Waterloo Nursery, won first place in the Drawing and Painting Contest in the four to six years age group, while Lotonya Joseph, of the Shirley M Field-Ridley Nursery, was second and Aurita Feodora, of Bath Nursery School, was third.
In the seven to nine years age group, Rence Amjad, of John the Baptist Primary, won, while Christopher Tobin, of Comenius Primary, was second and Kensha Williams, of West Field Prep, was third. In the 10 to 12 years age group, Rebecca Hill, of Richard Ishmael Secondary, won, followed by Nasika Azween of Sans Souci, and Jaideo Singh of the Bishops’ High School, in second and third, respectively.
In the Painting Contest for the 13 to 15 years age group, Shania Richards, of the West Demerara Secondary, placed first, followed by Cherrie King, of Tutorial High, in second and Candace Rogers, of Bishops’ High School in third. King also copped the second position in the Craft Contest for the same age range while Danesh Bud was first and Natesha Isaacs was third.
In the Drawing Contest for the 13 to 15 years age group, Stewartville Secondary’s Eric Beluingy won, followed by Carisa Kissoon and Shawn Prince, both of the Bishops’ High School, in second and third place respectively.
Tammy Walkers and Telroy McCalmont, both of Tutorial High, placed first and second, respectively, in the Painting Contest for the 16 to 17 years age group. Mark Hutson of Richard Ishmael placed third.
In the Craft Contest for the 16 to 17 years age group, Stewartville Secondary’s Kenisha Persaud won first place, followed by Chantel Jones and Afina Mohamed, in second and third place, respectively. Both Jones and Mohamed are from the Bishops’ High School.
GINA said the winner in the Drawing and Painting Contest in the youngest category received a $20,000 prize; the winner in the seven to nine category won $25,000; and the winner in the 10 to 12 years age group copped $30,000. The winner in the Painting Contest in the 13 to 15 years age group was presented with $50,000, while the winner of Drawing Contest in the same age group copped $40,000. The winner in the Craft Contest in the 13 to 15 years age group won $40,000, while the winner for the same category in the 16 to 17 years age group received $60,000.
