Gerard Gough
CHRISTMAS might have been somewhat different for all of us in 2020, but one thing that didn’t change was the high standard of entries and the quality of the winners of the most recent Christmas Artwork Competition.
The annual contest run by Missio Scotland—the Church’s designated charity for Scotland’s Catholic primary schools—encourages pupils from across Scotland’s dioceses to submit their artistic interpretations of people and events associated with Christmas such as: The Nativity; the Magi; the shepherds; Mary with the Baby Jesus; the Holy Family; the new-born Jesus in the manger; and the Angel Gabriel. Once again, everyone at the Missio Scotland office was impressed and delighted by both the quality and quantity of the entries received.
In the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh, Natalia Iwaniak, a Primary 5/6 pupil at Halyrude Primary School in Peebles, caught the attention of the Missio Scotland staff with her depiction of a triumphant angel, while Maria Camelia Cristof, a Primary 3 pupil at St John Vianney Primary School in Edinburgh, received plaudits from the office for her drawing of a shepherd.
In the Archdiocese of Glasgow, the entry that really stood out came from Lucy Ni, a Primary 6 pupil at St Monica’s Primary School in Milton, with her vibrant depiction of the Baby Jesus impressing the judges.
There was an unusual situation in the Diocese of Paisley as two winners came from the same school, St Patrick’s Primary School in Greenock. While this is most rare, the quality of both entries from the Primary 7 pupils couldn’t be ignored. Suzie Dunne’s colourful drawing of the Magi and Lucy McGilvray’s beautiful Holy Family scene were captivating.
In Motherwell Diocese, Nicole Brownlie, a Primary 6 pupil from St Edwards Primary School in Airdrie, saw her poignant drawing of the Mary and Joseph on their way to Bethlehem named the pick of the bunch by our judges.
In the Diocese of Dunkeld, Alejandra Castro-Velazco, a Primary 2 pupil at St Margaret’s Primary School in Montrose, showed talent that belied her young age with her excellent drawing of the Holy Family. Alejandra was delighted to receive her prize from headteacher Marie Law just before the Christmas break (above).
And last, but not least, in the Diocese of Galloway, Liam Rankin, a Primary 4/5 pupil at St Sophia’s Primary School in Galston, impressed everyone with his artistic depiction of Mary with the Baby Jesus.
In addition to the winners receiving a prize for their efforts, all the entries were featured on Missio Scotland’s Facebook and Twitter accounts prior to the Christmas break, before being displayed in their respective diocesan cathedrals. As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic preventing us from printing 2019’s winning entries and selling them as Christmas cards via our online shop last year, the 2019 and 2020 designs will form a double-pack for Missio Scotland's 2021 Christmas cards, which will be available for sale later in the year via our online shop.
“We have been delighted with the response to the Christmas Art Competition,” Missio Scotland’s National Director, Fr Vincent Lockhart, said. “Congratulations to all the winners. Many thanks to the headteachers and staff of the schools who took part. Photos of the winning pictures are now able to view via our website and social media.”
Schools can request a virtual assembly from Missio Scotland by visiting: https://www.missioscotland.com/request-a-school-visit or by e-mailing: gerard@missioscotland.com or martin@missioscotland.com
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