Bodhi (5) scoops special merit award in Texaco art competition
Award-winning artist Bodhi Williamson with his art teacher Caitlin Chapman in the Ard na Gréinne Art School, Rathoe
CARLOW artist Bodhi Williamson from Ard na Gréine Art Studio in Rathoe has won a top prize in this year’s 71st Texaco Children’s Art Competition.
Bodhi (5) won a special merit award for an artwork imaginatively titled , which the adjudicator, Irish visual artist, curator and educator Pauline O’Connell, said “displayed high levels of skill and creativity”.
His art teacher, Caitlin Chapman from Ard na Gréine Art Studio, is delighted that Bodhi scooped a prize. She said the title of the award-winning piece came from his absolute love of the boys and girls in blue.
“Bodhi loves everything to do with the gardaí. He’ll draw a garda hat on anything,” said Caitlin.
Talented Bodhi is the son of Rebekah and Darragh Williamson from Rathoe and is big brother to sister Brooke (3).
“We’re absolutely delighted for him and he’s delighted with himself, too. He’s telling all of his friends about it. My husband and I remember entering the Texaco art competition when we were children, but we never knew anyone who won a prize in it and now Bodhi is the only winner in Co Carlow,” said Rebekah.
The Texaco children’s art competition is regarded as the longest-running sponsorship in the history of arts in Ireland, with an unbroken link that dates back to the first competition in 1955.
This year, as has been the case throughout its life, the competition has been a platform in which young artists from Carlow and counties throughout Ireland have had their talents recognised and their creativity commended.
