The 12 young winners of a painting competition on the ocean, launched by the Danny Faure Foundation in July this year, was rewarded for their work in a prize- giving ceremony held at the National History Museum on Saturday.

The competition was themed ‘Ocean is the Beating Blue Heart of Our Planet. Protect It and Preserve Our Future’, inviting primary school students to showcase their own perceptions of the sustainable use of the ocean through their works.

The painting competition is the first activity of the Danny Faure Foundation since it was launched in June this year.

By the submission date early last month, the foundation had received a total of 486 artworks, with 195 submissions from the 6 to 8 years old category and 260 submissions for the category 9 to 12 years old, as well as 31 extra paintings from participants who submitted.

Six winners were painstakingly chosen for both categories by the jury which comprised the director of the Seychelles Institute of Art and Design (Siad), Christine Chetty.

Present at the ceremony was the founder and chairman of the Foundation, the former president Danny Faure, and Alain de Commarmond, board member of the foundation.

In line with its mission to empower the youths and help effect global change, the foundation organised the competition to explore how children interpret the importance of the ocean – how humanity depends on it for its survival and how we should protect and conserve the marine life and ecosystems for a healthier planet.

Each of the winners received a certificate of participation and a gift voucher worth R1500 from the GMA Supply stationery shop, including other art accessories.

The 12 paintings will further be used for the foundation’s 2022 calendar, each painting depicting a month of the year.

The winners are:

Category A: 6-8 years old

Richarno Pandiya (Independent School)

Katia Bibi (Anse Royale primary school)

Moksha Pillay (Independent School)

Emma Confait (Anse Boileau primary school)

Kiesha Marie (Beau Vallon primary school)

Category B:

Daneo Francis (Takamaka primary school)

Hurah Confiance (Beau Vallon primary school)

Rachel Brioche (Vijay International School Praslin)

Ezrah Gabriel (La Rosière primary school)

Jayden Marie (Takamaka primary school)

Naomi Lucie (Independent School)

Seven-year-old Kiesha Marie was one of the most ambitious participants with two submissions, both of which were extremely colourful and detailed.

When asked whether she had expected to come out as one of the winners, young Ms Marie said that yes, she had been confident in her skills.

“Kiesha loves painting and drawing, and asks for art supplies all the time. She also loves the sea and collecting seashells on the beach. We sat down with her and explored the topic, asking her what she thought of the topic and she went from there,” said Kiesha’s mother, Annie Dubel.

Daneo Francis, a P6 student at Takamaka primary, noted that his art teacher, Sir Mervin, helped him with the project.

“My drawing shows all the things you can do on the beach such as play domino, enjoy and relax, watch the sunset. Also things you can get from the ocean like the fish that is on the grill,” explained Daneo.

Mr De Commarmond explained that the competition will become an annual event on the foundation’s calendar of activities.

Source: Seychelles Nation