Irish Arts Review

IntroductionAuthor(s): Paul MartinSource: Irish Arts Review (2002-), Vol. 21, 50th Anniversary of the Texaco Children's ArtCompetition (2004), p. 2Published by: Irish Arts ReviewStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25503147 .

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Introduction

(From top, I - r):

Chloe Murphy, age

5, Dublin 5, Zebra

In The Jungle

Sean Stillwell, age

16, Co Waterford, The Old Thatch

Kevin Maunsell,

age 15, Co Kerry,

Day Dreamer

Ronan O'Reilly, age

7, Co Kildare, The

White Faced Owl

Kelly Ireland, age

5, Co Kilkenny, Bees

Jessica larkin, age

5, Dublin 6W Choo

Choo Train

PAUL MARTIN

reflects on the role

that the Texaco

Children's Art

Competition has

played in the lives of

generations of young

Irish people

fjFP^f^^B'< ' * :*\f;..

;i ?Z-?a

&JL t Texaco, we are exceedingly proud of the

I % Texaco Children's Art Competition which

f^^^ this year celebrates its 50th Anniversary.

^L* <^L. Looking back over the half-century since it

all began, we are especially proud of the contribution

which it has made towards the development of art edu

cation in Ireland, and in fostering an interest in art

amongst our young people. In that time, a simple concept

born as a commercial undertaking designed to promote

Havoline oil, has grown and developed to become the

In a sense, ownership of the Competition is now

shared by Texaco with the hundreds of thousands of young people, many now parents

and grand-parents, who have participated in it over the years and the countless teach

ers and school principals whose support has been so vital to its development.

There are many aspects to the Competition which delight all of us in Texaco. But,

perhaps the overriding feature is the sense of pleasure and achievement it brings to all

of the young artists who submit entries from year to year.

There is scarcely a family in Ireland which does not have a winner amongst its mem

bers. Indeed, it is a source of joy to us that Dave O'Reilly, CEO of ChevronTexaco, is him

self a past winner. An Irish man, Dave won his award whilst attending school in Dublin.

Within the world of art generally, we are honoured that so many prominent persons

have testified to the influence which the Competition has had and to see the number

of past winners who have gone on to achieve distinction as professional artists.

We are honoured also by the recognition given to it by the many distinguished

persons who have officiated at our Award Ceremonies over its fifty-year life. The deci

sion by President Mary McAleese to officiate at our 50th Anniversary Ceremony was

especially pleasing, remembering her encouraging words of praise, and the tremendous

affection which she had for all of the winners and their parents present:

'Whether the Irish are rich or poor, oppressed or free, at home or abroad we have

always been characterised by our unique ability to express ourselves with great cultural

vividness,' the President declared. 'Each generation adds its own signature to that rich

heritage and these awards encourage a new generation to believe in its own talent, its

right to make its own statement/

At Texaco, our commitment to the Competition has been absolute and whole

hearted since its beginning in 1955. Our objective remains as it has always been: to

support and encourage children through art. And, if our Competition has a wider pur

pose, it is to be the conduit through which young people can give expression to their

creativity, gain recognition for their achievements, and bring distinction to themselves,

their families, their teachers, their schools and their communities.

PAUL MARTIN is the Country Chairman of Texaco (Ireland) Limited.

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