Arts 22 April 2026

Shining a Light 2026 Winners

The winners of our Shining a Light 2026 art exhibition have been announced.

The winners of our Shining a Light 2026 art exhibition have been announced, celebrating the creative achievements of Advanced Higher and Higher Art and Design students from across Falkirk’s nine secondary schools.

The exhibition took place at the Park Gallery in Callendar House from the 24th January to 19th April and featured original student artwork alongside insights into each artist’s creative process.

The overall winner was Harris MacDonald who attended St Mungo’s High School.

Judge Stuart Williamson said he was “really moved by the backstory behind Harris’s work,” praising his ability to take something “personal and raw” and use it as creative inspiration. Stuart described the work as brave and honest, highlighting the powerful way Harris transformed something painful into work that is visually engaging and thought provoking. Harris received a £100 Cass Art Edinburgh gift voucher and a Cass Art goody bag to the value of £60.

Runners up were Ivan O’Connor from Falkirk High School and Maria Rogan from St Mungo’s High School. Ivan’s work was recognised for its sensitivity and attention to detail, while Maria’s paintings stood out for their honesty, maturity and use of embellishment and craft. Both runners up received a Cass Art goody bag.

The Shining a Light trophy is sponsored by a Falkirk-based marketing agency Eden Consultancy, and it will be displayed at St Mungo’s High School this year as Harris won first prize.

The exhibition was judged by Stuart Williamson, a former Grangemouth High School pupil and now a London-based stylist and design consultant, who also featured in this year’s exhibition.