A Derry student recently was granted the opportunity to showcase her artwork in a very exclusive setting after being hosted in 10 Downing Street.
Foyle College's Alex Patterson was invited to 10 Downing Street to showcase her winning Creative Earth artwork at a special reception
After winning her age group in the Creative Earth art competition with her piece entitled 'Mother Earth', 14-year-old Alex was invited to the COP26 talks and her artwork was to be shown and displayed to world leaders.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson had her winning piece exhibited in the Terracotta Room and Alex also travelled to Glasgow to see the COP26 talks in action
Alex gifted the Prime Minister with a watercolour painting of Downing Street, which he was very taken with and which will be displayed in his office.
Alex said: "The experience of Downing street was quite overwhelming. I was delighted to be part of COP26, emphasising the importance of our global shared responsibility through uniting all our continents to protect our only and most fragile planet for future generations."
"The days spent at COP26 opened my eyes to the future technologies and the change in lifestyle choices needed to preserve and maintain our planet."
"Winning the UK category in the Creative Earth for the United Nations Climate Change Conference with my 'Mother Earth' piece was so important because I am passionate about reducing global warming and climate change and COP 26 Conference in Glasgow was an amazing experience.
"It was exciting to have my art displayed at the global conference and hope it has some impact in realising that all our actions i.e. what we eat, buy and do affects our planet. We all need to change our way of living."
Alex's mother Joanne expressed the pride that her and the rest of Alex's family felt at this incredible opportunity.
She said: "The trip to 10 Downing Street was amazing. The Prime Minister spoke to Alex about her painting, asked her what mediums used and where the inspiration came from.
"He was then presented with a watercolour of Downing Street. He said he absolutely loved both pieces and especially at Alex’s age how brilliant her talent is."
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