Coleham Primary School Wins The Big Market Art-Off
Children from Coleham Primary School have triumphed in Shrewsbury Market Hall’s Big Market Art-Off Christmas competition and won the £100 first prize.
The children’s artwork was chosen by a panel of three professional artists from a dozen entries to Shrewsbury Market Hall’s competition aimed at celebrating ‘Christmas in Shrewsbury’.
The Shrewsbury school’s black and white artwork, completed by classes 5X and 4Y, depicts Santa and his sleigh soaring into the winter’s night with giant glittering snowflakes falling gently over iconic landmarks of Shrewsbury.
“I liked the ‘cold feel’ of the artwork, especially the snowflakes, and was impressed by the way the artists had drawn the detailing on the buildings. It showed they had really looked at the buildings around Shrewsbury,” said illustrator Phill Evans, who was among the judges representing the Shropshire Visual Art Network.
Fellow judge upcycling sculptor Sara Mai said she “loved the expanse of sparkly sky to the scale of the buildings”.
4Y’s class teacher Alice Evans said “We are absolutely delighted to win the 'Christmas in Shrewsbury' competition. The children enjoyed creating the piece and we look forward to seeing it on display in the market hall in the run up to Christmas.”
The second prize of £50 was won by Brigitta Shuker, a textile artist based in the market hall, who had produced an advent calendar depicting the market and its traders.
A third prize of a framed abstract illustration of the market, by Mr Evans, was won by Daisy Davidson, aged 12, of Shrewsbury, who submitted a painting entitled ‘Foxy Lady’.
International artist and illustrator Linda Edwards, who was also a judge, said: “The standard of entries was very high and many showed great originality. There was a great deal of thought and work behind the finished pieces. They were all so good, it is a shame that we had to pick a winner!
“Apart from the three we chose I also liked one of a lady looking through the window of a timber-framed house at snow falling outside - very evocative of our Tudor buildings.”
The artworks were exhibited in the market hall as part of its celebrations for the Shrewsbury Christmas lights switch-on last week. Some of the artworks will be displayed in the market in the lead up to Christmas with another full exhibition on Wednesday December 17 when the market stages its next Christmas late shopping evening with stalls and cafes open until 9pm.
