On the 23rd of September 2023, the United Kingdom branch of the Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP UK) held its third annual Artist for Peace competition. This event was open to young children across the United Kingdom. The theme for this year, “My Dream,” was chosen by the children themselves during the previous year’s event.
The competition received a multitude of art submissions from children aged between 5 to 16 years. The quality of the artwork submitted was truly remarkable, with each piece beautifully highlighting the dreams of its creator. The children’s boundless imagination and artful creativity brought their visions to life, making it a joy to witness their dreams manifest in their artwork.
The event began with a warm welcome from the President of WFWP UK, Mrs. Mitty Tohma. She encouraged the children to continue nurturing their passion for art. Following her inspiring words, the delightful MC, Dawn Pollitt, skilfully guided the contest. Her vibrant energy and enthusiasm added an extra layer of excitement to the event.
In order to appreciate and celebrate the children’s contributions, a short video clip featuring each art piece was showcased. This provided a heartwarming experience for everyone involved as they immersed themselves in the beauty and creativity displayed by these young artists. Our esteemed guest judges, Chris Bennett, and Beatrice Dracup were then introduced. They faced the challenging task of selecting the top three winners from each category. Every painting was deserving of recognition, making their task incredibly difficult.
The winners were finally revealed amidst great anticipation. The atmosphere was filled with sheer joy and excitement as the children’s faces lit up with pride upon receiving their well-deserved accolades. To further enhance the experience, an open mic session was held where the children were given an opportunity to express their thoughts and emotions about their paintings. Their innocent and heartfelt words touched our souls and left a lasting impression on everyone present.
The event concluded with a heartfelt speech by our Artist for Peace director, Ala Zubvoski, who thanked everyone for making this event possible. She expressed her gratitude to the children for sharing their dreams with us and reminded us of the importance of nurturing their potential and creativity. She also thanked the organising team for their dedication and hard work. WFWP UK is exceptionally grateful to the North Thames Community for their generous contribution of the “Artist For Peace” project 2023.
The Artist for Peace 2023 was a tremendous success, thanks to the support and cooperation of everyone involved. We are very proud of our young artists and their achievements. Their artwork not only brightened our hearts but also gave us hope for a better future. We look forward to seeing more of their talent and imagination in the next edition of the competition, which will have the theme “My Role Model.”
