Top prizes for Donegal students at art competition and exhibition

Jigsaw were delighted to partner with Mind your Melon for the much-anticipated relaunch of their successful art competition and exhibition, with Donegal pupils taking the top awards.

Siobhan Maguire, a sixth-year student from Loreto Secondary School in Letterkenny won first prize in the Art Competition, while Davin Coyle, a fifth-year student from Gairmscoil Chu Uladh, was awarded “highly recommended” by the judging panel.

Mind your Melon is a mental health campaign promoting positive mental health to young people in Donegal through a programme of events, activities, and online content. The programme has been created by local mental health charity Connect Mental Health in partnership with Jigsaw Donegal and Foróige, delivered with the support of Donegal Local Development CLG.

“I have always heard great things about Jigsaw,” Siobhan said. “I saw the poster in the school’s art room and felt the theme of "Growth" appealed to me. My painting was created using acrylic paint and paper. The lady in the piece shows resistance to life’s hardships. Her hands show how a person can grow even during such hardships. The colour red shows life, positivity, and hope. I am thrilled my painting was chosen this year and I loved looking at all the work done by the others.”


Siobhan Maguire, first prize winner, with her art piece

Davin added: “ 'I’m just so thankful to get recognized for the honesty and vulnerability in my piece. I hope it brings inspiration to others for the future."

Emma Alcorn-Curran, Youth Advocate with Jigsaw had a key role in planning, promoting and organising art exhibition.

She said: “Taking part in the Art Exhibition was such an enjoyable process. From our initial idea to relaunch the Art Competition, to setting the theme, to judging it, it was all so enjoyable for me. I was delighted to get to see the artists behind the art at our prizegiving. To see so many happy faces showing off their art is exactly what they deserve”, she says.

Young people from secondary schools and Youthreachs across Donegal collaborated to encourage young people to explore their mental health through art. The entries were featured in public exhibition at An Grianan Theatre. A prize-giving event was then held to celebrate all the young people who took part in the competition.

“The art exhibition fits perfectly with the Mind Your Melon programme, which focuses on activities to support positive mental health and wellbeing,” said Ciaran Mcloone, Chairperson of Connect Mental Health. Art is a powerful tool for self-care and self-expression, as demonstrated by the fantastic art-work created by the young people of Donegal.”

“We were absolutely blown away by the creativity and talent shown by all the young people who took part in the art exhibition,” Amy McRory, Youth and Community Engagement Worker with Jigsaw, said. “It is so important we continue to provide platforms for young people to express their thoughts, emotions & unique perspectives in such creative ways.”