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Celebrating young artists in Plymouth Christmas Card Competition
Tuesday, 17 December, 2024 — Year 3 pupils aged seven and eight from schools across Plymouth showcased their creativity in a festive Christmas card competition judged by Professor Paul Fieldsend-Danks, Vice-Chancellor of Arts University Plymouth.
<p dir="ltr">Year 3 pupils aged seven and eight from schools across Plymouth showcased their creativity in a festive Christmas card competition judged by Professor Paul Fieldsend-Danks, Vice-Chancellor of Arts University Plymouth. The competition was generously initiated and funded by KK Controls & Equipment Ltd, which invited local schools to participate in the spirit of giving back to the community during the festive season.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The first-place prize of £2,500 for school funds was awarded to Woodfield Primary, thanks to Callie Hodges’ colourfully painted winning design, which will also be used as Arts University Plymouth’s digital Christmas card for 2024.<br /></p>

Woodfield Primary School - 1st Prize - Callie Hodges with Maria Partridge and Kelly Gill from K K Controls
<p>High View School received £1,500 for second place, with Cora’s festive Christmas tree earning high praise from the judges. In third place, Stoke Damerel Primary Academy was awarded £1,000 for Penny’s excellent drawing.</p>

Callie Hodges' winning design from Woodfield Primary School
<p dir="ltr">Mark Freeman, Managing Director of KK Controls & Equipment Ltd, said: “We’ve been providing electrical and heating control services to schools, universities and colleges in Plymouth for over 40 years, so it was a pleasure to launch this competition and give back in a meaningful way. The children’s creativity has been truly inspiring, and we’re proud to support the next generation of young artists."</p>
<p dir="ltr">In addition to the prize money, pupils from the winning classes will enjoy a private film screening at Plymouth Arts Cinema, based at Arts University Plymouth. Callie Hodges’ first-place design will also be featured as Arts University Plymouth’s digital Christmas card this year, going out to influential figures across the UK’s creative industries.<br /></p>
Winning designs from High View School and Stoke Damerel Primary Academy.
<p dir="ltr">Professor Paul Fieldsend-Danks, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Arts University Plymouth, said: "Arts University Plymouth is committed to fostering creativity in the wider community, so it has been a privilege to judge this competition and see the incredible creative talent in Plymouth’s young people. We’re grateful to KK Controls for initiating such a generous and inspiring project, and congratulations to the winning schools."</p>
<p dir="ltr">To celebrate all the creative entries, submitted Christmas card entries will be displayed in the windows of Arts University Plymouth’s Charles Cross Building (on Charles Street in the city centre), opposite Drake Circus, throughout the holiday season, spreading joy to the local community while highlighting Plymouth’s young artistic talent.<br /></p>