FIVE Liverpool young people are set to see their artwork exhibited across the city – and you won’t need to go to a gallery to see it.
The quintet are all winners in a competition that will see some Scouse flair lent to the latest addition to most people’s wardrobes – face coverings. And now their handiwork is also being given to other young people in the city to help keep them safe.
The competition, led by Open Culture on behalf of Public Health Liverpool, and supported by partners in COoL (Creative Organisations of Liverpool), attracted 113 entries. Originally, four winners were to be chosen, two from each of two age categories, but an additional winner was chosen in the age 14-17 category.
The judging panel was: Kiara Mohammed, a Liverpool multidisciplinary Muslim trans, gender-fluid artist; TEE, a spoken word and rap artist; and representatives from Public Health Liverpool and social enterprise Open Culture.
A group of young public health activists also gave feedback on the shortlist before the winners were selected. The activists have been working with Public Health Liverpool to give insight into their experience of the pandemic.
As well as having the designs made into limited-edition face coverings, the five winners have all also scooped £200 each (prizes funded by arts organisations).
The winners are:
Category ages 14-17
- Aubrey Sanchez – from Anfield. Bellerive School.
- Euan Lee – from Abbots Lea School.
- Nikoleta Pioro – from Norris Green. Holly Lodge School.
Category ages 18-25
- Evie Warwick – from Wavertree. Liverpool John Moores University.
- Belita Edi – from Toxteth. City of Liverpool College.
Four thousand double-layered coverings have been produced by Cheshire-based English Fine Cottons and also have an anti-viral coating.
The face coverings will not only be distributed at the winners’ schools but will also be given out to young people via the council’s Children’s Services teams including looked-after children, the youth offending team and the city’s youth clubs.
See the website here.