FIFTY participants who entered artwork in the 2012 PowerGen School Art Competition, were celebrated on Tuesday at a function held at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) in Port of Spain.

Twenty finalists were chosen and their work will soon be displayed on Wrightson Road, Port of Spain, on the walls surrounding the PowerGen Power Station.

The art produced by the children all had elements of this year's theme "Sweet, sweet T&T...Celebrating our Golden anniversary".

The function was attended by Minister of Arts and Multiculturalism
Dr Lincoln Douglas who told the pupils of the primary, secondary
and special schools, that they were all winners.

"By virtue of the fact that you were willing to offer yourself for selection, by publicly sharing your talent and artistry with the rest of us, you have indeed triumphed" he said.

He urged pupils to continue honing their craft since the Ministry was committed to building industries that will be self sustaining in time to come, "industries within a new economy that specifies provisions to bolster artists and artisans of all kinds".

PowerGen's general manager Fitzroy Harewood said the competition focused on the patriotic theme of the nation's Golden Jubilee.

"We are sure that all the selections reflect the students pride in this great country of ours and we are convinced that the entire exercise would have strengthened their sense of nationhood and pride".

He said "When one considers the many ills that plague our young
society and the problems experienced by young people, we are given hope when our youth so enthusiastically participate in an endeavor such as this".

He said the Education Ministry and Arts Society of Trinidad and
Tobago partnered with PowerGen on the initiative. The judges for the competition comprised members of the Arts Society and employees of PowerGen.

Also attending the function were PowerGen's Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs, Joy Ramlogan, Director of Human resources and Administration Hyacinth Guy, Director of Operations Selcrest Husbands, Manager Treasury Doreen La Touche, and Chairman of the Board of Directors Indarjit Singh and Deputy Chairman Lennox Phillips.

Pupils of the Special Schools participating were Glendon Crepin of the Autistic Society of Trinidad and Tobago, Gabriella James of Eshe's Learning Centre, 16 children of the LIFE Centre, and Ricardo Powell Academy, Navin Rampaul of the Strategic Learning Centre, and Adel Henry of the New Beginnings Educational Centre. The work of Crepin and James were chosen by judges.
The finalists in the secondary school category were Kajal Madho of Lakshmi Girls' Hindu School, Vishal Persad of ASJA Boys High School, Adeisha Periera of Bishop Anstey High, Alyssa Mahabir of ASJA Girls - San Fernando, Jerome Watson of Cowen Hamilton Secondary, Ayana Samaroo of Gasparillo Secondary, Anabelle Castagne of Holy Name Convent, Camilla Noel of Siparia East, Stephan Superville of St Anthony's College, and Jennalee John of Saraswatie Girls Hindu College.
The finalists in the primary school category were Ne'Jean Ramsahai of Rosec Primary, Alilleana George of St Joseph's Girls' RC, Jessica Jagnanan of Rochard Douglas Presbyterian, Deleth Charles of Melville Memorial Girls' AC, Kerron John of San Juan Presbyterian, Krystal Mc Carthy of Sacred Heart Girls' RC, Allin Ramjit of Dayanand Memorial Vedic, and Micaela Charan of San Fernando TML.