GIVE a child a blank canvas and primary colours, and great creative things can happen.

Simon Home Timber and Hardware's Emily Cooper knows that first hand through the masterpieces created in the inaugural Toowoomba Primary Schools Mural Competition.

Students from eight schools in the Toowoomba region were given a blank A3-size exterior ply and supplied with the five primary colours as part of the competition.

The challenge was to paint without restrictions, Ms Cooper said, and the results were stunning.

"It was left to (the students) to create whatever they wanted," she said.

"It wasn't restricted to anything."

The competition included 38 entries from eight schools including Mater Dei, Downlands, Wyreema State School, Mary McKillop, Toowoomba North and Wilsonton State schools, and were judged by Michael Schoemaker from Toowoomba Art Gallery.

"He mulled for a very long time over the entries," Ms Cooper said.

"When he came back to what would look good as an over-sized mural, that narrowed it down to a handful.

"He decided it was tough between first, second and third.

"There were four top contenders but came back to the point that if it was to be created on a larger scale, what would look the best."

An entry from Mater Dei emerged the winner, with the school also taking out third place.

Downlands was awarded second place for one of its entries.

Wyreema State School, Mary McKillop, Toowoomba North and Wilsonton State schools received highly commended recognition for the artworks.

Ms Cooper said the competition would be held again next year.

Email emily.cooper@simonhome.com.au.