This year's Hurricane Art Contest was co-partnered by The Royal Gazette and the Bermuda Red Cross. The theme was ‘After the Hurricane: Creatures and Gardens'.

The corporate sponsors were BELCO, Engravers, The Royal Gazette Ltd., Phoenix Stores, and Staples. Every winning child received an award thanks to the generous sponsors who are commended for sponsoring art for our youth.

There were two categories, a colouring contest for young children aged between five and eight, with the picture drawn by artist Peter Woolcock. The second category was an art contest with creative, free hand drawings and colouring for ages nine to15.

Judges for the younger children, who submitted 451 colouring sheets, were Pauline Girling from the Phoenix Stores, Susan McGrath-Smith and Nicole Williams-Smith from BELCO, Dawnette Belton from the Stationery Store, Gail Martins from Staples along with Bermuda Red Cross Director, Ann Spencer-Arscott, and administrator, Helen Wicks.

Mrs. Spencer-Arscott said: “Our original purpose for introducing the Hurricane Colouring Contest was to make sure the families of the children received the tear-off information on how to be prepared. That is still our focus, but it is also encouraging to see children take the time to colour and for some the creativity and detail is quite something.

“I am not sure why, but there are some schools who don't send in entries and that's a shame.”

The five year old category was: first prize to Kane Roberts, Saltus Cavendish, second prize to Ryan Lim, Harrington Sound and third prize to Claudia Medeiros, Harrington Sound.

The six year old category was: first prize to Noah Beek, Warwick Academy, second prize to Alex Alvera, Saltus Cavendish and third prize Shai Richardson of Bermuda Institute.

The seven year old category was: first prize to Rachel Bacon, Saltus Cavendish, second prize to Jessica Byrne, Mt. St. Agnes, and third prize to Krystal Moniz, Bermuda High School for Girls. Honourable mention went to Torrae Thomas-Wainwright at Saltus Cavendish.

The eight year old category was: first prize to Arabella Tribley, Mt. St. Agnes Academy, second prize to Madison Thompson, Bermuda High School for Girls, and third prize to Yuki Hoshina, Somersfield Academy. Honourable mention went to Akeyla Furbert at Bermuda High School for Girls.

Mrs. Spencer-Arscott, with the help of her dedicated assistant, administrator, Helen Wicks, presented all prizes, for both age divisions, at a reception held at Peace Lutheran Church, South Shore hosted by TheRoyal Gazette.

Judges for the older children, aged nine to 15, were Marlee Robinson and Louisa Flannery, both previously affiliated with the National Gallery.

The older children were categorised as follow with the number:

Age 9-10 had 53 and 43 entries respectively totalling (96),

Age 11-12 had 20 and 18 entries respectively totalling (38),

Age 13-15 had 1 entry (1),

Final total (135).

Due to the fact that we only received one entry for the 13-15 category that was not coloured, the judges felt it necessary to give awards for both the age categories of nine and ten rather than combine them.

A brief summary with the judges comments is listed below:

Age nine Winner, Jonathan Cox, attends Saltus Junior School. Judges' comments: “Bermuda images with a good tree. A lovely depiction of a crippled tree beside a stone wall with a Bermuda moongate with a bird looking at the aftermath destruction.

Age nine Runner-up, D'Mitri Williams, attends Saltus Junior School. Judges' comments: “Great imagination in selection of objects with composition”. This is a homes and gardens creation with two cats caught up in the lawn debris including several palms and a car over turned - must have been a huge blow!

Age nine Honourable Mentions: Jonathan Donawa, attends Saltus Jr. School: Judges' comments: “A great spirit of chaos with lots of gestures”. Lots of action with greys, green and red.

Ryanne Bardgett attends Saltus Jr. School. Judges' comments: “Flames and lots of vibrant colours” Yellows, blues and greens.

Ryan Pacheco attends Warwick Academy. Judges' comments: “Good attention to detail with understanding of local construction. Done with lots of light and pastel colours of green, pale blue and white.

Age ten Winner, Eugene Carlington, attends Saltus Jr. School. Judges' comments: “Great detail, imaginative components (piano, golfculb, fish bowl.”

Age ten Runner-up: Brendan Amos, Saltus Jr. School. Judges' comments: “Great crow, birds flying well, and good sense of doom of aftermath.” Primary colours grey, pink and brown.

Age ten Honourable Mentions: Greg Maybury attends Warwick Academy. Judges' comments: “Interesting perspectives with point of view.”

Denise Bremar attends Warwick Academy. Judges' comments: imaginative composition with a good separation of the elements.” Lots of primary colours.

Age 11-12.

Age 12 Winner, Ryan Branco attends Somersfield Academy. Judges' comments: “This is art! Terrific! Guinea pigs are an ideal choice because they always look worried anyway.” The gave his picture a title, ‘Is it safe yet?'

Age 12 Runner-up, Kevin Simmons attends Saltus Jr. School. Judges comments: Lots of great details. The more you look the more you see. Good observation skills.” Great colours of pink and blue with a road of black A little yellow dog looks on.

Age 12 Honourable mention: Trevor Rawson attends Saltus Jr. School. Judges comments: “Very humorous.”

Age 13-15 neither winner nor runner up.

Honourable mention to Chrystal Haynes, age 15, who attends Mt. St. Agnes, for “the before and after”. Judges' comments: Honourable Mention for taking the time to submit . It is a black and white drawing depicting contrast.”

We thank our judges and each person for entering and it is our pleasure, along with the Bermuda Red Cross and the corporate sponsors, to recognise Bermuda's youthful artists.

We encourage students to observe this season's hurricane weather in Bermuda and around the world for future ideas for next year.