The winners of the VbE Art Competition 2026 and the commended artists are set out below.
Issy F, Madley Primary
Pier Muianga, Willow International
The school asked its entrants to think about how all Values link closely together and showing how, if we show our Values, we can impact positively on others too. They talked about how Values bring colour to our world.
Issy describes her what her work means: "If you show your values, you will see the wonders in everything".
Pier's artwork communicates a message about education, moral grounding, and inner richness, especially in childhood. At the centre is a child’s face, rendered in a stark black-and-white style. The face is split tonally: one side lighter, the other darker, emphasising contrast—between life with values and life without values, awareness and ignorance. The child’s expression is calm but serious, inviting reflection rather than emotion.
These colours stand out sharply against the dark background, Each colored strip appears to contain words —values such as empathy, honesty, respect, generosity, and similar human principles—suggesting thoughts, beliefs, or moral foundations. The colors feel alive showing the idea of growing or emerging, bringing light of values into darkness. It suggests that values are what give depth, diversity, and color to human thought and life.
Sadeem Benainouss
Willow International
Enya G
Meritton International
Nada U
Meritton International
Franciely Adriano
Willow International
Mond R
Meritton International
Viktoria S
Madley Primary
Melis K
Capel Manor Primary
Seven
Meritton International
Luna H
Southfield Primary