Waterford students win big in Texaco children's art competition

Two talented Waterford students have won top prizes in this year’s 71st Texaco children’s art competition. 

In the 16-18 years-old category, Megan Hogan, a pupil at Gaelcholáiste Phort Láirge in Ballygunner, won second prize for her work entitled ‘Tommy.’ Commenting on the stunning piece was Final Adjudicator and Irish visual artist, curator and educator, Pauline O'Connell. 

She said, “Megan conveys familiarity with her subject in this accomplished portrait: through subtle tonal transitions and delicate use of media she depicts the soft and tender facial expression conveying a strong connection between the sitter and artist.”

This isn't 17-year-old Megan's first entry as she won first and second prize in the 14-15 years-old age category in 2022 and 2023 respectively.

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In addition to this, 15-year-old Aoibhe O'Connor, from St Augustine's College, Dungarvan, won a Special Merit Award for her artwork entitled ‘A Nation's Voice’ with Ms O’Connell speaking fondly of the "displayed high levels of skill and creativity."

The Texaco children’s art competition is popularly regarded as the longest-running sponsorship in the history of arts sponsoring in Ireland, with an unbroken history that dates back to the very first competition held in 1955.

This year, as has been the case throughout its life, it has been a platform on which young artists from Waterford and other counties throughout Ireland have had their talents recognised and their creativity commended.