Member Article

Merseyside schools encouraged to enter regional art exhibition

Dot-art Schools, an inter-school art competition, has received a double boost after receiving support from the Mayor and a leading UK company.

World famous hairbrush brand Tangle Teezer has committed £5,000 as principal sponsor to the programme, while the Mayor’s Office has awarded Dot-art £2,600 in grant funding to support the initiative.

Tangle Teezer joins other supporters including Rathbones, St George’s Hall, Merseyrail and PR and marketing consultancy, The Big Partnership.

Matt Lumb, CEO and director at Tangle Teezer, said: “Tangle Teezer’s success has been built on following a passion for creativity, innovation and design which made Dot-art Schools an ideal programme for us to support as it embodies all of these values.

“The competition offers a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the talented young people of the Liverpool City Region and help develop the next generation of creative thinkers and producers. Schools should grasp this valuable opportunity and get involved.”

The art competition, which is in its fourth year, gives pupils in Year 6 and Year 9 across the Liverpool City Region the opportunity showcase their artistic talents and have their work displayed in a public exhibition in St George’s Hall.

Assistant Mayor Councillor Nick Small said: “I am really pleased that the Mayor has been able to support dot-art Schools this year through the Mayor’s Fund. Art in schools is so important in developing creativity. I know that Dot-art Schools will be a great success. That’s why I’d encourage all Liverpool schools to sign up and take part.”

Lucy Byrne, managing director of Dot-art, said: “It is a huge coup for us to have the support of Tangle Teezer and the Mayor’s Office. We are really impressed with the calibre of this year’s sponsors who are all committed to supporting creativity and the local community.

“More than 45 schools have already signed up to take part and we are hoping to see a further stream of entries this week ahead of the deadline on 13 January.”

“Dot-art Schools is an inclusive competition which gives primary and secondary schools a platform to showcase the quality of pupils’ work to parents, families and the wider community. It aims to take art out of the classroom and engage children with arts and culture, by providing a fantastic opportunity for young aspiring artists in Merseyside to get creative and show off their talents at a free public exhibition in one of Britain’s most iconic buildings.

“The competition has engaged with more than 80 primary and secondary schools and 2,500 children in Liverpool, Wirral, Sefton, Knowsley, Halton and St Helens so far. I urge anyone one who is interested to sign up via the website before Wednesday.”

Schools who enter can submit photographs of up to 25 students’ artwork to the Dot-art website before a panel of judges, made up of professional artists, select the top three entries from each school which will progress to the public vote.

The piece of work with the most votes from each participating school will form part of the exhibition at St George’s Hall. There will also be a special prize giving ceremony in June in recognition of those who were shortlisted and to crown the overall winners, who will receive a special prize.

Following the exhibition at St George’s Hall, artworks will be also displayed across selected Merseyrail stations.

To find out more or enter your school, contact dot-art Schools on 0345 017 6660 or email schools@dot-art.com. Alternatively visit schools.dot-art.com and download the entry form. Entries close on Wednesday 13 January.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Laura Berry .