STUDENTS from Ellesmere Port beat hundreds to be named finalists in an a regional art competition.
Two teenagers from Ellesmere Port Catholic High School were selected from hundreds of entries from across the North West and Wales as finalists in the Project Life (Leading International Fungal Education) competition, which educates young people about the importance of fungal research.
Rachel Collett, 14, was runner-up and Megan Ward, 14, was highly commended after more than 350 artistic representations of fungi and fungal diseases were entered from across the region.
Dr Geoff Scott, chairman of the Fungal Research Trust, presented the winners with their prizes during an awards ceremony at Manchester Museum on Thursday to coincide with the Manchester Science Festival.
Artist and judge Bob Devereaux said of Rachel’s work: “Rachel’s piece was beautiful. The use of textiles was excellent, very tactile. It was clear that she had very much thought about the subject.”
Speaking about Megan’s work, he said: “It was great and refreshing to see a sculpture in the competition. It feels quite threatening in an insidious sort of way.”
Organised by Professor David Denning of the National Aspergillosis Centre, the country’s only fungal centre of excellence, and supported by the Fungal Research Trust, the contest coincided with the launch of North West-based worldwide organisation LIFE, set up to raise awareness of fungal infections and their consequences.
“Fungi are beautiful and fascinating and are essential to our ecosystem and to many industries such as alcohol, bread and cheese making,” said Professor David Denning.
The artwork was on display in the Manchester Museum, University of Manchester, last week.
See finalists’ work at www.flickr.com/photos/projectlifecompetition2012/sets/72157631499839610.
