On June 1, 2016 on International Children's Day awarding of the winners of the competition “The youth palette” named after a well-known Kirovohrad painter and pedagogue – Merited Cultural Worker of Ukraine, member of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine, laureate of Regional Award in fine arts and study of art named after Olexander Osmerkin in the nomination “national tradition” Leonid Bondar (1938-2013) took place in O.O.Osmerkin Art-Memorial Museum. L.Bondar also had been a director of Kirovohrad children’s art school named after O.Osmerkin for more than 20 years.
   The competition was initiated to foster patriotism in the younger generation and popularization of fine art, promote the development of children’s and youth creative work, allow pupils and students to realize their talents, discover and support talented youth and teacher. The co-organizer of the competition was Kirovohrad Regional Organization of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine. This year competition was dedicated to the nationwide theme: “We are the future of Ukraine” to the 25th anniversary of Independence of Ukraine. The competition was held in such types of fine art: painting, graphic art, decorative art.
   115 pupils’ and students’ works were offered to participate in the competition. The participants were from such educational establishments of Kirovohrad as children’s art school named after O.O.Osmerkin, children’s art school, which is in the village of Nove, folk studio of fine art “Soniashnyk” (“Sunflower”) of the regional centre of children’s and youth creativity, section of decorative and applied art “Palitratvorchosti” (“Palette of creativity”) of centre of children’s and youth creativity “Oberih” (“Charm”) of teaching and educational complex of comprehensive school I-III levels #24, Art and Graphic Department of the Art Faculty of State Pedagogical University named after V.Vynnychenko and Construction College, specialty “architectural design and interior”.
   According to the jury’s decision the winners became 26 participants from7 to 20 years old. Their art works were awarded Diplomas of I,II,III degree in three nominations: I – pupils of primary specialized art educational establishments, schools of aesthetic education; II – pupils of art studios and sections of fine art of comprehensive educational establishments; III –students of higher educational establishments of art and humanities according to the respective age categories. Also the winners received encouraging prizes (coloring album “Down the streets of our town”, brushes, paints, pens and other items of creative work of the painter), which were given by one of the initiators of the competition foundation – Department of Culture and Tourism of Kirovohrad Town Council. Five participants and all the teachers, whose pupils won in the competition, received Letters of commendation.
   Also all the participants and their teachers were presented booklets with the reproductions of the winners’ works and article about L.Bondar. A lot of kind words were said about L.Bondar during the event. A sincere gratitude was expressed to the organizers of the competition by the widow of the painter Nelia Anatoliivna, who visited the event.
    All the present viewed the exhibition of the winners’ works, which gives joy and shows optimism for the future of our country.