BIC Helps Kids in Ghana Express themselves through Creative Competition

BIC, a world leader in stationery, lighters, and shavers, on Wednesday, September 15, 2022 announced the winners of the second edition of its flagship Art Challenge dubbed the ‘BIC Kids Junior Art Master Challenge’. The awarding event was held at The National Theatre in Accra, Ghana. It was attended by renowned Ghanaian artist Safori (of House of Safori), as well as other renowned artists and sculptors.

The ‘BIC Kids Junior Art Master Challenge’ is an annual competition that encourages children to creatively express themselves through coloring and writing, using BIC stationery products. The challenge drew inspiration from BIC’s flagship Art Master Africa competition which spans the Middle East and Africa region and that encourages creatives to express themselves by producing artwork using the iconic BIC Cristal Ballpoint pen.

The ‘BIC Kids Junior Art Master Challenge’ was launched in 2021 and has seen more than 7,951 participating students to date. This year’s theme, ‘My Environment, My World’, asked children to create artwork that represents their understanding of what a sustainable environment means. The theme aims to educate children on the importance of building and maintaining a sustainable   environment for a prosperous future. This stems from BIC’s commitment to reuse, recycle, or    compost 100% of its consumer plastic packaging by the year 2025.

More than 7,951 kids from across the country participated in the challenge this year. Out of the 68 finalists, two students were announced as winners, Lydia Frimpong SARPONG in the Junior Category and Levi Ghene Dwomoh PIESIE in the Senior Category.

The winning students were selected by a jury of renowned Ghanaian artists and experts including Enam Bosokah, an artist who has established himself as one of Africa’s best known ball pen artists; Sarah Tweneboa Kodua, Head of Visual Arts Department at the Accra Academy; Theophilus Peace Fenu, Professor at the Visual Arts Department at Odorgonno Secondary  School; and Esther Ofosu, Multimedia Artist and Lecturer at Institute of Distance Education   (University of Education – Winneba).

Commenting on the occasion, Léonard Ehouabolet, Senior Marketing Manager at BIC in West and Central Africa said: “We are ecstatic to see the BIC Kids Junior Art Master Challenge in its second edition as it touches more children across the country. The challenge triggers creativity, innovation, and encourages self-expression, positively impacting children. This year we saw an increase in participation which is testament to the need of such initiatives in the country and the wider region. Like Art Master Africa, we aim to continue to bring out the talents of our future generation by leveraging our portfolio to continue to encourage creativity and self-expression.”

Winners of the competition have received a brand-new laptop; a BIC Kids Junior Art Master plaque; certificate of participation; and a wide range of BIC products. First and second runner ups each received a tablet; a BIC Cristal plaque; certificate of participation; and a wide range of BIC products. The 68 finalists each received a certificate of participation as well as a selection of BIC products.

BIC’s connection to art spans more than 60 years. The brand regularly celebrates the creativity and originality of artists who find great inspiration in creating masterpieces using BIC’s products. BIC’s Art Collection includes over 250 works of art by 80 international artists. BIC has several established partnerships with art institutes around the world and has its products displayed in renowned museums around the world.

To find out more about the flagship Art Master Africa please visit www.bicartmaster.com.