EDINBURGH.- The best young artists in the country are to be celebrated on 17 June 2009 at the National Galleries of Scotland, when the prize-winners of the 2009 Art Competition for Schools will receive their awards from John Leighton, Director General of the National Galleries of Scotland (NGS). Fantastic prizes for individual winners, classes and schools will be collected by over fifty of Scotland’s most talented young artists and their prize-winning works of art will tour the country for the next year. Keith Brown MSP for Schools and Skills will speak at the event to congratulate the winners. In addition Douglas Johnson, Director of Public Affairs will represent Scottish Widows who are sponsoring the competition for a fourth consecutive year.

With a record-breaking 5,796 entries received this year, a 44% increase on last year. Entrants faced tough competition in all six categories: nursery, primary schools (P1-3 and P4-7), secondary schools, special education schools and groups. Young artists were inspired by a variety of themes including Food is Fantastic, Super Duper Animal, A Sense of Place, and Look Up Look Down. The competition was launched online in December when schools from all over Scotland were invited to enter. Thousands of artworks were subsequently received from across Scotland from Portree to Perth.

Praising the high standard of entries this year, Linda McClelland, event organiser, said: “The judges always have a difficult task but with a 44% increase in entry numbers, 2009 has proved a particularly memorable year. After last year’s hugely successful exhibition, which toured to venues in Inverness and Glasgow, we hope the 2009 show can be another record breaker!”

As part of last year’s touring exhibition, works from the 2008 competition were displayed in Pentagon Centre in Glasgow from November 2008 to January 2009 and then to the Raigmore Hospital, Inverness from February to May 2009. Work by winners of the 2009 competition will tour to two venues across Scotland.