The Texaco Children's Art Competition is getting on a bit now, having begun life in 1955. But the event was already well into middle-age when one of this year's winners was born - way back in the late 1990s.
Anastasia Edwards (4), from Downpatrick, Co Down, was a typical brooding artist yesterday, refusing to interpret her work - a portrait of a lady in pink.
Luckily her mother, Eileen, was on hand to explain that the painting, which won the six-years-and-under section, depicts Rose, the elderly protagonist in the film Titanic, walking two pink dogs, "She's a big fan of the film. She's watched it so many times it drives me crazy."
Anastasia's early conversion to art was probably inevitable. Her sister was commended in last year's awards and her mother and an aunt are designers.
Anastasia's was one of a record 50,000 entries for this year's awards, compared with 3,000 in 1955. The chairman of the adjudicators, Mr Declan McGonagle, said the figure showed the "tremendous loyalty and commitment to the competition throughout the country, from parents, teachers and students alike".
Gorey Community School, Co Wexford, scored a notable success, winning first prize in two of the seven categories thanks to Kevin Roche (in the 14-15 age group) and Eoghan O'Keeffe (12-13).
Omagh, Co Tyrone, also claimed two winners: Stephen Campbell, of Sacred Heart College in the 9-11 category, and Dominic Devine, of the Christian Brothers Grammar School (16-18).
Other winners were Rebecca Keating (7-8), of St John's National School, Cratloe, Co Clare; and Dean O'Brien (special needs, 18-and-under), from St John's Special School, Dungarvan, Co Waterford.
