CHICKEN drumsticks and hairy spiders were among the record number of entries submitted for this year’s Young Art Oxford (YAO) competition.

A total of 2,400 children from 39 schools across Oxfordshire were inspired to create works on this year’s theme – What I love.

And 440 of them had their work put on display in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, last Wednesday and Thursday. The final winners were chosen by the judges – Oxford children’s illustrator Korky Paul, graphic artist Sarah Simblet from the Ruskin School of Fine Art, and Modern Art Oxford’s head of learning Sarah Mossop.

Abingdon Prep School’s Luigi Felici, 10, from Oxford, won first prize in the year four to six category for his lifelike picture of a chicken.

Luigi said: “I felt speechless and very proud of my work, I really love art. I chose it because I liked the colours.”

Mum Helena, 44, said: “I am extremely proud of him. I love art but I wasn’t aware he has such a talent, it was a big surprise for us. He really put a lot of work into his painting. It has shown us a lot about him.

YAO, now in its sixth year, is a fundraiser for Cancer Research UK with all of the children’s pictures on sale. In its first five years it raised £32,000 for the charity, and organisers are hoping to raise another £10,000 this year.

Summertown mum Veronica Reinhardt said she was thrilled daughter Holly, six, had entered, for a touching personal reason. The 48-year-old’s artist sister Alexandra – who had the rare Diamond Blackfan Anaemia blood disorder – died in 2004, aged 43.

The Lynams Junior School pupil came first in the reception to year 3 category. Her mother said: “It’s wonderful to know arts in the family are being continued by my daughter.”

Organiser Belinda Hanson said: “It is a way of making children feel good about themselves. We were really pleased, it is the most entries we have ever had.”

The contest is run by volunteers and prizes and materials are donated.

WINNERS AND RUNNERS-UP

Reception to Year 3
1. Holly Reinhardt – Lynams Junior School.
2. Sulava Najar – Headington Preparatory School.
3. Lydia Shovelton – Lynams Junior School.


Years 4 to 6
1. Luigi Felici – Abingdon Preparatory School.
2. Zeyang Zhang – Cothill House.
3. Madeleine Smith – Bishop Loveday Church of England Primary School.


Years 7 to 9
1. Not provided.
2. John Allen – Abingdon School.
3. Angus Blomfield – Abingdon School.