On Saturday 25th of October 2008 over 150 children from 20 Galle schools came together to participate in a children’s art competition. The children were split in to 4 age categories and all enjoyed the opportunity to showcase their artistic talents based on the theme ‘Welcome to Sri Lanka”. There work is now displayed in the historic Dutch Warehouse in the Galle Fort where visitors from many countries are viewing the exhibition as part of the Galle Art Trail.
All children who participated were awarded with special participation certificates for their involvement. Well known artists who are exhibiting as part of the Galle Art Trail have all enjoyed viewing the talents of Sri Lanka’s young and emerging artists and were involved in awarding Special Merits to those children showing particular talent.
34 children have been awarded Special Merit Awards and will each receive an ‘artist’s pack’ of watercolours, brushes, oil pastels and other useful art supplies. Each participating school has also received a large pack or art supplies for their arts departments. Remaining art supplies that were used by the children on the day of the competition will also be handed on to rural under-resourced schools.
Many thanks to the Beamish Family for making this event possible!
Categories 1 and 2 (grades 1 to 5) packed the hall in the morning session
Categories 3 and 4 (grades 6 to 11) filled both sides of the hall in the afternoon session
Primary children patiently line up for the registrations for the competition
A secondary student creates a colour image of Buddha which was very popular with the judges
A primary student enjoys using water colours to paint traditional Sri Lankan dancers
A secondary student focussing on her painting of a Sri Lankan rainforest
Children proudly show their art work to their parents and teachers before they are displayed in the exhibition hall
Two twin boys display their art work and participation certificates
Outside the Exhibition Hall, children’s free events and performances are held throughout the Galle Art Trail
A banner outside the Old Dutch Warehouse promoting the event and acknowledging the support of the Beamish Family
Two professional artists exhibiting during the Galle Art Trail enjoyed their time judging and commenting on the children’s artwork
Sri Lankan Sunset – Category 4
A family hanging Vesak lanterns – Category 2
A Sri Lankan Puppet Show – Category 1
A Bodhi Puja Ceremony at the local Temple – Category 2
Women harvesting in the fields – Category 3
A group of traditional dancers in a Parade – Category 4
Women collecting lotus flowers for the Temple – Category 4
