An Inverness Royal Academy pupil has fended off competition from almost 5,000 other youngsters to design the official poster for this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Ruth Mackenzie, 12, was named yesterday as the winner of the prestigious contest at a glittering prize-giving ceremony in the Scottish capital.
Her design was chosen from more than 4,900 entries from 175 schools across the country, and it will now become the official poster for the 2016 Festival Fringe, as well as featuring on mugs, bags, T-shirts and other merchandise.
She will receive a £300 cash prize following her victory, and the school’s art department will be awarded £750.
Shona McCarthy, chief executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, hailed her work last night.
“Ruth’s winning poster really embodies the spirit of the Fringe – bright, bold and full of colourful characters,” she said.
“The judges were unanimous in recognising her flair and skill as a young artist, and I’ve no doubt her family and everyone at Inverness Royal Academy will be delighted with her success.
“I was thrilled to join my colleagues on the judging panel for my first Schools Poster Competition and was blown away by the sheer variety and talent on display, as well as inspired by how diverse and personal each child’s interpretation of the Fringe was.
“It is fantastic to see so many schools and pupils creatively engaging with the Fringe and we would like to thank all of them for taking part.”
Cartoonist Nigel Parkinson, best known for drawing Dennis the Menace, Minnie the Minx and a host of other characters for The Beano, was a special guest at the prize-giving ceremony and exhibition launch.
He said: “The Fringe Schools Poster Competition is a fantastic initiative and a great way to inspire and encourage children to let their imaginations soar by expressing themselves artistically, as well as being a great way to introduce them to the Fringe.
“I hope that all the pupils that have taken part across Scotland will be inspired to keep drawing and I’m really looking forward to walking around the exhibition.”