Erica Bright and her winning artwork Helping Others.
By Mara Pattison-Sowden
ERICA Bright’s colourful collage about helping others has won a top prize in an Australia-wide competition.
The 11-year-old was one of 7000 primary school students who took part in the 2011 Kmart Art of Giving competition, which won her a camera and $2500 for Gruyere Primary School.
Erica said she spent a few of her lunchtimes finishing the colourful artwork.
“I thought of some of the ideas at home – a teacher, a lifeguard, a person helping someone who was hurt and a girl sending a parcel to help a young boy in Africa,” she said.
Now in its third year, the competition has provided students with a fun and creative way to think about how they help others. Erica was named as one of two state winners.
Erica’s art teacher Emma Braham was thrilled with the recognition that her student received and said the competition was a great way to encourage discussion in the classroom about helping others.
“I’m so proud of Erica,” she said.
“Her artwork really demonstrates the importance for caring for and looking out for others. In fact, the competition got all the kids thinking about the little things they do, or can do, each day around the school and around the house to help out.”
Kmart managing director Guy Russo was overwhelmed by the quality of this year’s entries and moved by the compassion and love that shone through artworks presented by students as young as five.
“I was thrilled to see students show such empathy for others and really express how they care,” said Mr Russo.
“So many communities have been doing it tough this year, and these students have taken the time to think about their own personal circumstances and their capacity to make a contribution to the wellbeing of others.”
