By Mike Kapur, her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire
One of the most valuable things I have been able to participate in so far this year was the Platinum Jubilee Art Competition, which was organised in the build up to the Jubilee.
The competition was open to primary schools across the City and County for KS1 & KS2 children.
By asking them to express what the Jubilee meant to them, I wanted to give our young people a chance to express their artistic talent and to build their excitement for the celebrations.
With over 250 entries, we were excited to see what imaginative and original works the children had come up with! After shortlisting 28 entries, we decided on two overall winners and ten very worthy runners up. With so many beautiful and creative artworks, shortlisting was not easy! I must extend my thanks to Diana Brooks DL, and my shortlisting panel – without their help, I think picking out our winners may have been impossible!
Deputy Lieutenant Diana Brooks and I were able to visit our two overall winners at their schools to personally present them with a special certificate, plus an additional prize of an art set to further encourage their creativity. The two winners also received a free family ticket to the award winning Wistow Maze, which I hope they will enjoy this summer.
The ten runners up were also presented with a certificate and a special prize for taking part in person by one of my Deputy Lieutenants. It has been so lovely to be able to make these visits, and to congratulate the winners on their artistic efforts. I was also able to send a special certificate and letter to each of our shortlisted entries, personally thanking them for taking part. All of the artwork is featured in a ‘Virtual Exhibition’ online, which can be viewed via the Lieutenancy website.
The Platinum Jubilee was such a special and unique occasion, and it has been heart-warming to see young people across our city and county express how the Jubilee made them feel through imaginative and colourful art. We have very many talented young artists within Leicestershire, whom I have no doubt we will see more from in future! I hope that their memories of this remarkable event will remain with them for years to come, and that they can feel proud of their achievements.
I know that whenever I look at these drawings, I will be able to remember Leicestershire’s celebrations, and feel proud of how our communities came together in celebration of Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee.
