Arts Trophy Presentation

Posted February 16, 2022 by WI Staff in Event Reports

The theme for the Arts Festival Competitions for 2022 was “ The Beauty of Nature”, with entries in Painting, 3D Decoupage, Calligraphy and Good Handwriting. Due to Covid-19 regulations earlier in the year, the annual Arts Coffee Morning – to showcase all the entries and present the winners with their prizes – unfortunately had to be cancelled and instead the artworks featured in our virtual gallery on Facebook!

However, the Arts Sub-Committee was able to hold a smaller, more intimate Trophy Presentation for all the first prize winners, in Federation House on 11th February. Federation Chairman Margaret Broome was on hand to present the trophies and Arts Sub-Committee Chairman Lesley Dowds welcomed all the guests. Lesley and Margaret also shared some words of inspiration and encouraged all the ladies to keep supporting all the WI’s creative competitions. Also in attendance were the winner and runner-up of the recent Arts challenge to ‘Design A WI Scarf’ and both ladies were presented with cushions featuring their original artworks.

We have such great creative talent in the WI!

Here are some snapshots of our artists…

Anne Black of Drumcree WI won the award for Best Overall Painting in the competition, as well as the Oils Open class. Anne is pictured (above left) receiving the Jean Hughes Trophy from Federation Chairman Margaret Broome.

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Edna Symington of Gilnahirk WI was awarded the Lorna Walker Salver for the Oil Novice class. Edna went for a slightly different interpretation of the competition title ‘The Beauty of Nature’ and painted a beautiful baby portrait!

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Lesley Bridgett of Ravarnette WI was awarded the Joy Swann Salver for placing 1st in the Watercolour Novice class.

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Betty Holmes of Garvagh WI was awarded the Harbinson Trophy for the 3D Decoupage Open class.

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Eleanor Johnston of Ballyblack WI was awarded the Stedfast Salver for placing 1st in the Good Handwriting Open class.

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Nuala Hayden of Newtownbreda WI was awarded the Jacquie Brachi Shield for placing 1st in the Calligraphy Novice class.

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As well as our Arts Festival awards, two of our budding WI fashion designers got to see their scarf designs brought to life – but in cushion form! The ladies who placed 1st and 2nd in the ‘Design A Scarf’ competition were presented with special cushion versions of their designs, produced by Pixalili textile and design studio!

Here is the ‘Design A Scarf’ competition winner – Therese Mageean of Saintfield WI, with her lovely family – and her winning scarf design transformed into a beautiful cushion! Therese’s winning design will soon be available to purchase in scarf form!

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Here is Eileen Richmond of Macosquin WI who placed 2nd in the ‘Design A WI Scarf’ competition, receiving her cushion from Federation Chairman Margaret Broome.

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Arts Festival 2022 – All the 1st Place Trophy Winners:

-Jean Hughes Trophy (*Best Overall Painting) – Anne Black, Drumcree WI

-Mabel Johnston Salver (Acrylics Open) – Maureen Gray, Leckpatrick WI

-Jean Blair Trophy (Acrylics Novice) – Helen Graham, Newtownstewart WI

-Moorcroft Salver (Any Other Medium) – Gertie Carson, Ballydownfine WI

-Phyllis Ennis Cup (Oils Open) – Anne Black, Drumcree WI (*Best Overall)

-Lorna Walker Salver (Oils Novice) – Edna Symington, Gilnahirk WI

-Logan Salver (Watercolour Open) – Deborah Smyth, Crossgar WI

-Joy Swann Salver (Watercolour Novice) – Lesley Bridgett, Ravarnette WI

-Harbinson Trophy (3D Decoupage Open) – Betty Holmes, Garvagh WI

-Gosford Trophy (3d Decoupage Novice) – Anne Fitzsimmons, Hillsborough WI