Fowey Festival Awards for Young Writers and Artists Presentation Day

In January, we told you about the 2023 Fowey Festival Awards for Young Writers and Artists Competition, which this year had the theme of Celebrations!. The competition was open to children between the ages of 4 and 16 living in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The challenge was to produce an original picture, poem, short story or factual piece of writing focusing on the theme of Celebrations!.

The competition was sponsored by Waterstones, The Arts Society Bodmin, Fowey River Gallery and Atishoo Gallery, who generously provided prizes, display space and framing of the artwork. Fowey Hall Hotel hosted the award ceremony, and we thank all these organisations for their fantastic support. Children of all ages from across Cornwall took part, and in March, judging took place.

On Saturday 29th April, the awards ceremony took place in the beautiful surroundings of Fowey Hall Hotel. It was attended by all the winning children and their families, sponsors, judges and the whole team that had worked tirelessly to ensure the competition could take place. The artwork was shown, and written work was read out so that everyone could share the experience of enjoying the outstanding work that the winners had contributed.

Here are three photographs showing some of the winning entrants.

Florence receives her certificate and prize for coming first in the KS3 Poetry section with her poem Fowey Festival

Thomas with his certificate and prize for first place in the KS1 Story section with his story called Billy Bob Loved Christmas

Louis receives his certificate and prize for his outstanding entry in the Factual Writing section with his piece called Treasures of the Earth

To see the list of winners, please click here and then click on the word “Results”.

Afterwards, all the winning children were invited to a workshop, which took place in the Parish Rooms in Fowey. As the youngsters walked down to the workshop, Florence, who had received first prize in the KS3 Poetry Section, told Janet, one of the competition organisers, that she had really enjoyed reading Daphne du Maurier’s novel, Rebecca. Janet suggested she read My Cousin Rachel next, and Florence said she would definitely get a copy. Of course, here at the Daphne du Maurier website, this makes us very happy, knowing that we have a new Daphne du Maurier fan in our midst.

Cornwall-based artist Sean Hewitt led the workshop at which a beautiful collaborative piece of art was produced. Following on with the theme of Celebrations! and because this year we are celebrating the 25th Literary Festival in Fowey, the collaborative piece celebrates boats on the river in Fowey and is entitled Lemon Sails. It will be displayed in Fowey River Gallery before the Festival and will be auctioned during Festival Week to raise funds for the Festival.

Lemon Sails

Lemon Sails is a beautiful picture, so call in at Fowey River Gallery to look at it, if you can, and get involved with bidding at the auction.

May 2023.

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