Talented young artists presented with prizes for the 25th anniversary Calendar Painting Competition

25th November 2019

Law firm Walker Morris presented 41 children and 8 schools with their prizes at its Children’s Charity Calendar Painting Competition on Saturday 16 November.

This was a very special presentation ceremony as not only was it the 25^th anniversary Calendar but also the first presentation ceremony at its new office at 33 Wellington Street, the largest professional services move in Leeds in the last 15 years.

Children from the region’s primary schools were presented with prizes for their artistic talents by two of the Competition’s judges, renowned Yorkshire artist, Ashley Jackson, and David Smedley, Chairman of the Partners at Walker Morris. The winning paintings were chosen from over 2500 entries from schools across the Yorkshire and Humber regions.

The 13 winners, one for each month of the year, plus the coveted front cover, were all presented with a hamper full of artists materials as well as a cheque for their school for £250. The 28 runners-up also received an art prize. Also, in a surprise coincidence, two of our runners-up were twins Anayat and Ayman Yaseen (picture below with judges, Dean Poole, Ashley Jackson and David Smedley).

Each year all primary school aged children from the Yorkshire and Humber region are invited to enter the Calendar Competition by painting their favourite month of the year. The winning paintings are used to produce a Calendar and all proceeds of sale go to Martin House Hospice Care for Children and Young People. Martin House provides family-led care for babies, children and young people with life-shortening conditions across West, North and East Yorkshire, as well as supporting their families throughout the life of their child, and in bereavement

David Smedley commented:

“This year’s presentation ceremony at our new offices on Wellington Street was a fantastic celebration of the wealth of talent and ability from our regions school children! I would like to say thank you to all of the entrants to the competition for their efforts and for taking the time to enter. Many congratulations to this year’s winners and runners-up whose paintings are extremely impressive. As a firm, we are extremely proud of the calendar, the money it raises and the support it provides for Martin House. I hope that the children’s artwork brings a smile to everyone’s faces for 2020!”

Ashley Jackson added:

“The Walker Morris Calendar Competition is an extended family. As it reaches its 25th year I am proud to have played a small part for all this time, for we know that it is more than a competition, it is a platform where children can build their confidence and grow through their Art with far reaching rewards for the individual child, the school and Martin House Hospice. I wish to thank everyone who entered this year, it was a joy to view the creativity and colour.”

In his opening remarks, Walker Morris Chairman David Smedley referred to the firm’s surprise when they discovered, earlier this year, that former Leeds Arts University student, Tamzin Jebson, whose artwork is installed across two walls in the Walker Morris Boardroom, was previously a winner in the Firm’s annual Children’s Charity Calendar Painting Competition.

The discovery was part of an art competition run in partnership between Walker Morris and Leeds Arts University.  Students from across the University’s disciplines were challenged to design a piece of art with a ‘distinctive’ theme to reflect the Firm’s reputation as a distinctive commercial law firm. The artwork completely fills one of the walls in each of the Walker Morris client meeting rooms. Tamzin was a winner in the 2009 Calendar when she was just 7 years old and attended Wooldale Junior School!

Calendars are now on sale for £6.00 with all monies raised going to Martin House. Please contact the marketing department or tel: +44 (0)113 283 2500 or they are available to buy online from Martin House.

Full list of Winners

Full list of Runners-up