Peace theme of students' art

PEOPLE'S CHOICE: Coco Fail-Bosswell, 11, and her entry, the People's Choice winner as voted by the community.

Greytown School students have just held their own "art gallery" in town, with World Peace as the theme.

The school's Years 7 and 8 pupils took part in this year's Lions International Peace Poster Contest and exhibited their posters at the Greytown Library this week, with the display finishing this afternoon.

The competition is run by Lions clubs around the world and is open to children aged 11-13. The aim was to get young people thinking about the importance of world peace, said Greytown Lions president Linda Kirkland.

Mrs Kirkland, also the school's librarian, organised the Greytown competition, which included 40 artworks and some "outstanding entries".

"The kids really enjoyed themselves," she said.

"The competition helps make young people aware of world issues, while giving them an opportunity to explore their creativity.

"I think they are very proud of what they've done - seeing them hung up in the library was a big boost."

This year's competition theme was "Peace, Love and Understanding," with the children using recurring motifs such as doves of peace, olive branches, peace signs, and yin and yang symbols.

According to worldwide criteria, all posters must be two-dimensional, done in either pastel, coloured pencil or felt tip, and be no larger than 50cm by 60cm.

The Greytown Lions committee judged the children's artwork and the winner was 12-year-old Eddie Doherty, with her intricate representation of a dove of peace and a globe made up of nations' flags.

Her entry will be sent to Auckland and judged alongside those from other New Zealand schools, with the winning poster sent for international judging to the US.

The People's Choice Award, as voted by the Greytown public, went to Year 7 pupil Coco Fail-Bosswell for her colourful work of hands exchanging a token of friendship.

The students' posters have been on display since Monday.