Mathieu Busto has been named the overall winner of the Finsbury Trust–Bayside School Art Competition for his artwork New York 5th Avenue. The announcement was made during a prize-giving ceremony held at Bayside School.
The awards were presented by Finsbury Trust Chief Executive Officer Benjy Cuby, alongside directors and judges Bianca Daniell and Maurice Perera, in the presence of the Minister for Education, Dr John Cortes.
In the Key Stage 3 category, first prize was awarded to Amal Al Labed for her piece Lavender Fields. Second prize was presented to Aimee Linares for La Calle Comedia, while Luciana Murray received third prize for Final Destination.
Six students received Highly Commended awards in recognition of the quality of their work: Movinsia Jesuira Raj (Heaven), Isabella Macedo (OV Reflections), Leah Duarte (depicting the Finsbury Trust building), Alba Bocarisas (Irish Town), Arianne Mena (Upper Town Steps), and Erin Rodriguez (Med Steps View).
Dr Cortes praised the initiative, describing it as “a strong example of how our education system actively supports the arts,” adding that encouraging artistic expression among young people contributes to a more creative and vibrant Gibraltar.
The competition was established through a collaboration between local artist and Bayside School teacher Karl Ullger and Finsbury Trust, with the aim of fostering enthusiasm for art beyond the formal curriculum. A distinguishing feature of the initiative is its inclusion of Key Stage 3 students, encouraging pupils as young as 11 to exhibit their work alongside older participants.
The competition attracted over 80 students, resulting in 105 submitted artworks. Many participants had limited formal art training and no prior experience of exhibiting their work publicly, making the opportunity particularly impactful.
Following the recent refurbishment of its new office premises, Finsbury Trust sought to integrate local creativity into its workspace by showcasing student artwork. The judging panel noted that the standard and volume of submissions exceeded expectations, making the selection process especially challenging.
In total, four cash prizes and six Highly Commended awards were presented. The exhibition also provided families and the wider community with an opportunity to engage directly with students’ creative achievements.
Finsbury Trust extends its thanks to Bayside School, participating students, educators, parents, and judges for their contribution to the success of the initiative. Looking ahead, Mr Cuby expressed hope that the competition will expand to include additional schools and become a regular feature in Gibraltar’s cultural calendar.
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