Sarkodie Poku and Mercy Minta are Ghana’s BIC® Junior Art Masters

The hunt for Ghana’s Junior Art Master came to a climax on Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at the National Theatre in Accra with the finals of the BIC® Kids Junior Art Master Challenge for Basic and Junior High Schools in Ghana.

Master Isaac Boamah Sarkodie Poku of The Light Academy emerged the grand winner in the senior category, while, Miss Anabel Mercy Minta of Penfield School took home the ultimate prize in the junior category.

Each of them received a brand new laptop, a plaque, certificate for winning the ultimate in their category, and products and souvenirs from the organizers of the competition – BIC.

Rachel Ansah Bimpong from The Flobar School emerged the first runner up while Nabil Yakubu of Santa Barbara School emerged the as the second runner up in the senior category. For the junior category Prince Ansah Brimpong of The Flobar School and Kayla Betrams Unchukwa of University Basic School emerged first and second runners up respectively. They each received a Samsung Tablet, a certificate, and products and souvenirs from BIC.

The competition which was launched in early May this year is aimed at encouraging the pupils to express themselves by using the medium of arts to share their Covid experience. Themed “My COVID Experience,” the BIC® Kids Junior Art Master Challenge was used to engage the students and young artists on creativity.

The Business Development Manager for BIC, George Nkonsah, said over 15,000 entries were received from basic and Junior High Schools across the country following the official launch and announcement in the media. The list was vetted and shortlisted to 4,125, out of which 60 finalists were selected from 30 schools by the help of the judges.

At the final event in Accra on Wednesday, all 60 participants were provided with drawing tools from BIC and asked to draw their covid experience within 90 minutes. They all produced beautiful expressions that made it difficult for the four judges to decide the winner. Eventually, they announced the winners.

The Senior Marketing Manager for BIC West and Central Africa, Léonard Ehouabolet, in a brief remark expressed satisfaction at the amazing display of pure talent by all participants and the support of the teachers in the various schools. He announced that the BIC® Kids Junior Art Master Challenge has come to stay and that it would be held annually to encourage the children to continue to express themselves through art.

According to him, the competition draws direct inspiration from the success of the BIC Art Master Africa contest, a similar competition organized for professional artists across Africa. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic however, the brand has had to depart from its regular school activations which attract large gatherings. In its stead, BIC introduced new activities such as the BIC® Kids Junior Art Master Challenge to engage students and young artists.

“It is the belief of BIC that art plays an important role in every society. For this reason, the brand has long been an advocate and supporter of the arts, providing platforms for artists around the world to creatively express themselves through various art forms, including portraits and designs,” he stated.

“Africa is blessed with a lot of talent in the field of art, but to continue developing and become competitive on the global stage, there is the need for new avenues that nurture talent and recognize artistic ability,” he stated while highlighting the need for the continent to focus on developing art from the grassroots, which is what the children’s competition is about.

“Art plays a significant role in the lives of every child’s development, such as in their communication, problem-solving, social, emotional and fine motor skills, as well as self-expression and creativity. As such, children’s involvement in the BIC® Kids Junior Art Master Challenge would give them a much-needed boost in their development,” he further stated.

Per the format of the challenge, participants in the contest were grouped into two categories – the Junior Category which comprises pupils from classes 1 to 5 and the Senior Category from classes 6 to JHS 3.

BIC is a world leader in stationery, lighters and shavers. For over 75 years, the Company has honored the tradition of providing high-quality, affordable, essential products to consumers everywhere. BIC has become one of the most recognized brands and is a trademark registered worldwide.

By Jeorge Wilson Kingson || ghananewsonline.com.gh