Nine-year-old girl desperate to 'make others happy' through lockdown with artwork design on Leeds butcher's shop front

A nine-year-old girl has won a competition for her artwork to be painted on the front window of a butcher's in Leeds - as she is desperate to 'make other people happy' through lockdown.
Shop manager Sam Brightbart with Leeds artist John Jones and competition winner Eva outside Gourmet foodsShop manager Sam Brightbart with Leeds artist John Jones and competition winner Eva outside Gourmet foods
Shop manager Sam Brightbart with Leeds artist John Jones and competition winner Eva outside Gourmet foods

When the Covid rates were rising and lockdown was looming back in December, the manager of Gourmet Foods in Leeds wanted to create something to "boost everyone's morale".

Sam Brightbart decided a bright display for the shop window for everyone passing to see would be one way of morale-boosting, and he asked Leeds-based artist John Jones if he would help.

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The pair then planned some artwork for the window at the end of last year as a celebration of the Jewish festival of Chanukah, as Gourmet is the only Kosher butcher in Yorkshire.

Sam said that the feedback from the local community was "heartwarming" and that Head of Jewish Studies at Brodetsky Primary School, Sagi Yechezkel, was "thrilled" with the positive atmosphere created.

Sagi suggested they partner up and run a competition for a primary school student to design the next display as an uplifting break for children from homeschooling struggles.

Eva, who is in year five at Brodetsky Primary School, was the whole-school winner of the competition and feels "really happy" that she can help to improve the mood of others with her work.

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The nine-year-old said: "Art is my favourite subject so I really enjoyed doing this as part of the school day at home.

"It makes me feel good because when people go past they'll be happy and I want to make other people happy."

Eva based her design around the next upcoming Jewish festival, Purim, where children would usually gather together in dressing-up outfits - this year on February 25 and 26.

Due to Covid restrictions, the usual Purim celebrations won't be possible, so Eva hopes her joyous artwork will help to fill that gap.

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Eva's mum Carolyn thinks the idea of letting children design artwork for a shop window is "really gorgeous" and the pair of them loved watching the actual painting be brought to life.

Carolyn added: "I think it's so nice that Gourmet chose a child from Brodetsky school to design their shop.

"It's a really lovely thing to do to help with homeschooling through the pandemic."

Gourmet and John Jones have decided to continue with their special window displays for many other Jewish festivals going forward.

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