One of the 25 winning St Petersburg entries to go
forward to the international children's art competition in Atlanta. The majestic halls of Nevsky Prospect's Anitchkov Palace were turned into art studios on Saturday as 120 St Petersburg school children took up the paintbrush and easel for a good cause.
It was all part of the Children's Olympic Art Initiative or Atlanta Project which will help children around the world use their creative talents for the benefit of themselves and others.
Along with children all over the world the aim was to paint a picture which best summed up the ideals of the Olympic Games to be held in Atlanta in 1996.
So far Russia, England, Poland, Hungary, Namibia, India and the Philippines are involved in the competition.
The winning entries will be printed on official Olympic-logo sweat and T-shirts to be sold in stores along with regular Olympic merchandise.
Proceeds from the sale of the merchandise will help various charities and organizations helping children worldwide.
It could be that the Atlanta competition judges may select one of the 25 winning entries from Saturday's "Paint Pal" competition in the Anitchkov Palace (Pioneers Palace).
The 120 children were split into three age categories: six-10 years, 11-13 years and 14-18.
After much painstaking deliberation the judges from a special committee picked the 25 winning entries, each of which was flown out to New York and then Atlanta the following day. The winning children received toys and prizes from sponsors including British Airways -- possible free flights to London, Pizza Hut -- sweat shirts, and Coca Cola Company -- baseball hats. The largest Russian sponsor was St Petersburg company Industry and Construction Bank.
Children, proud parents, teachers and sponsors were then treated to a delightful Balalaika concert by the Pioneer Palace Folk Orchestra and pizzas supplied by Pizza Hut.