Choose something that has happened in your life, then think of a way to capture that moment through art.
Not as easy as it sounds, is it? But this is exactly what schoolchildren had to do to enter this year's art competition run by the Bermuda National Gallery.
A total of 558 students from 12 of the island's schools entered the fifth annual BELCO student art competition which this year had the theme; 'Life is Art - What Is Your Story?"
The youngsters showed their artist flair by creating a lasting reminder of their memories in a visual format. They put their heart and souls into their work and produced a wide range of inspirational 'masterpieces.'
The competition is organized to promote and nurture the visual arts in schools and all the young entrants won five minutes of fame, as all their work will be on display at the BNG until Tuesday, January 15.
This year's theme was inspired by the BNG's recent exhibition: Living With Art: Modern and Contemporary African-American Art from the Collection of Alitash Kebede.
Lisa Howie, the BNG's Education Director said: "Living With Art captured the diverse experiences and stories of African American artists so this year's BELCO Student Art Competition challenged students to reflect on a significant moment in their lives and capture it in art.
"Our judges were very impressed with how students from Primary 3 to Senior School rose to the challenge and produced some truly remarkable and original work."
Acting Minister of Education, the Hon. Nelson Bascome, presented the winners from the different age groups with their prizes at Bermuda National Gallery on Tuesday.
Acting Minister Bascome congratulated the students on their "enormous talent" and said he personally was "very moved by the art that I see."
He expressed the Ministry's pride "at the quality of the paintings, the variety of talents, and the energy showcased by our young people." "They are a true testament to the respect our young students have for the images these paintings represent and the discipline needed to create these 'masterpieces,'" he said.
He added: "From inspirational, sweeping landscapes to the abstractness of Picasso-like expression, our students present us today with interpretations that lift our spirits, test our present perceptions and transport us from the present to a world of endless possibilities."
American Airlines and Artcetera also supported the competition. Judges were BNG Founding Trustee and artist Charles Zuill, artist Will Collieson and BNG Acting Curator Sophie Cressall.
Winners in each of six age categories (see separate story) received an Artcetera gift certificate. The first prizewinners also received a cash prize of $250 for their school to go towards art supplies. Prizes were also awarded to second and third place in each category.
In addition, student Azana Riley of Purvis Primary School and Warwick Academy art teacher Sally Craig were the lucky winners of the draw for two round-trip American Airlines tickets.
On Tuesday, January 15, the BNG will host a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. including testimonial from Dr. Charles Twyman, who was present for the March On Washington in 1963, and a special screening of the film, I Have A Dream. Telephone the BNG on 295-9428 for more information.
