Aberdeen based transport giant, FirstGroup, has donated ten of its buses to showcase winning artwork created by North East school pupils in an art competition run and sponsored by Thorpe Molloy Recruitment.
Hundreds of secondary school pupils in Aberdeen city and shire were invited to enter the creative competition entitled ‘My Future Aspirations.’ The competition challenged youngsters to create a self portrait which expressed their career hopes for the future along with a written narrative to support their piece. The entries were judged by a panel of six from the worlds of art, business and education.
12 schoolchildren were shortlisted for the judging panel and all 12 entries will feature as large vinyl advertisements on ten of First’s buses until the end of February.
Two talented youngsters from the North East scooped the prestigious joint 1st place award, Isaac Taylor-James (12) and Jordan McPherson (13), both of whom are Alford Academy pupils. Isaac’s three dimensional sculpture made from wire and fabric, revealing his aspirations to be a free runner, and Jordan’s self portrait showing her hopes of becoming a swimmer have won £500 for their school’s art department.
Alford Academy pupil Jordan McPherson said: “The competition was great fun and I was really pleased to be chosen as joint winner. Having the chance to show our work to very important people was quite nerve racking, but their comments made us all very proud.”
Alford Academy pupil Isaac Taylor-James continued: “It’s incredible to think our work is being shown off to the entire city! We all put a lot of hard work into our pieces and never expected to have this opportunity. I’ve been telling all my friends and family ever since I saw one of the buses for the first time!”
Avril Gill, FirstGroup’s Marketing Manager, said: “I’m very pleased we have been able to help in such a fantastic competition. Encouraging young people to think about their future is very important and it was great to see so much variation in their plans for the years ahead.”
She added: “The chance to have your art work on display to the entire city is something all twelve pupils should be especially proud of. At such a young age not many people can say they have exhibited their work!”
Karen Molloy, Director of Thorpe Molloy Recruitment, commented on the event which has been a resounding success for the second consecutive year: “I’m delighted the competition has proved so popular again this year. We are also very proud that the Scottish Government has chosen ‘My Future Aspirations’ as an example of best practice in business and education collaboration. Our competition will feature in one of a series of videos which champions the Excellence in Education through Business Links (EEBL) programme.”
She continued: “We are very grateful to First for its help both in the judging of the competition and the fantastic showcase they have put on for the most successful entries. The opportunity for these pupils to have their work displayed to the entire city is very exciting for them.”
The 12 shortlisted pieces are featured in Thorpe Molloy Recruitment’s 2011 calendar. Meanwhile, around 40 pieces are being exhibited in Thorpe Molloy Recruitment’s Aberdeen office at 38 Albyn Place.
All the entries are displayed in an on-line gallery via their website at www.thorpemolloy.com. If your school would like to know more about the competition contact Jacqueline Christie on 01224 658 865.
Picture Caption(L-R): Isaac Taylor-James (12) and Jordan McPherson (13) showing off their joint 1st place winning art with one of First's buses displaying their pieces.