AI Services "Udderly Awesome" Art Competition
Date Posted: 24th October 2019
Emma Kane, from Victoria College in Belfast, is the overall winner of a unique art competition hosted by AI Services (NI) Ltd.
The competition challenged those taking part to reflect the beauty of cows, both individually and as part of our rural landscape.
Last week Emma and the many other prizewinners visited AI Services' headquarters at Ballycraigy where they met the company's chief executive Dr Sam Campbell, judges Ivan Minford and Linda Peoples, and the AI Services staff. Emma's painting now features proudly on the front cover of AI Services' 2020 Dairy Catalogue.
AI Services' employee Roberta McClelland suggested running a competition to provide some original and exciting artwork to to adorn the walls of the newly decorated offices. Michelle Hill in the Marketing Department came up with as many puns as possible relating to cows and artwork, and put together a leaflet advertising the competition. Prizes were High Street vouchers of £100, £50 and £25 for winners in each category.
Leaflets were posted to local schools and enclosed with monthly AI Services' statements. No one quite expected the level of response – over 140 pictures were received over the following weeks with entrants ranging in age from 19 months to 85 years!
The winning entries were framed and the winners were invited to a special reception and prizegiving at AI Services' head office in Ballycraigy.
Speaking at the event, Dr Campbell stated "The quality of the artwork submitted as amazing. In truth, everyone who took part is a winner." Reflecting this sentiment, each entry received a small gift commemorating their participation.
Emma's winning entry features the head of a cow drawn with watercolours and markers. The final year GCSE student at Belfast's Victoria College is keen to pursure a career in art or music.
The competition winners are as follows:-
Category 1: 0 - 11 years
- 1st= Acacia McCann, Bangor
- 1st= Meabh Mullan, Creggan Primary School, Randalstown
- 2nd= Grace Trimble, Straid Primary School, Ballyclare
- 2nd= Logan McCann, Creggan Primary School, Randalstown
- 3rd= Adam McNeilly, Randalstown
- 3rd= Rachel Jamison, Straid Primary School, Ballyclare
Category 2: 12 - 16 years
- 1st: Emma Kane, Belfast
- 2nd: Eva Auten, Dromara
- 3rd= Niamh Duffy, Springfield
- 3rd= Ella Rose McNamee, Cookstown
Category 3: 17+ years
- 1st: Joanne Porter, Portadown
- 2nd: Anne Coulter, Ballynahinch
Photos from the prizegiving with winners and their artwork can be downloaded in the PDF on this page.
