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We are proud to announce that Katerina, a Year 6 pupil, has been awarded 1st place in the Years 5 & 6 category of the highly respected IAPS iArt 2026 competition, an international showcase of creativity open to all IAPS member schools across the UK and overseas. 

This year’s theme, ‘Contrast' was selected by IAPS Art Subject Advisor Charlotte Bell, Assistant Head (Pastoral) & Head of Art at Caterham Prep. The theme encouraged pupils to explore opposites, differences, and unexpected visual tensions in their work.

The competition received over 200 entries from more than 90 schools, with submissions including paintings, drawings, mixed-media pieces, and sculpture. All entries were created during school Art lessons, under the guidance of Art teachers.

Katerina’s winning piece, Smiling Storm, impressed judges with its bold interplay of imagery and emotion. Mrs Masoudzadeh, Head of Art at ºìÐÓÊÓƵ, commented: "What is so striking about Katerina’s style is the way she combines bold contrasts in both imagery and emotion. In Smiling Storm, she juxtaposes calm and chaos, happiness and anxiety, using layered textures, expressive facial imagery, and dramatic monochrome elements against bright colour. Her work is imaginative, emotionally powerful, and full of intricate detail, encouraging the viewer to look more closely each time."

As part of her prize, Katerina will attend a prizegiving evening in London, where she will receive her prize in person, along with an A3 framed print of her artwork, a commemorative certificate and a voucher to spend on art supplies.