University launches competition to find Northamptonshire’s finest young artists

The University of Northampton’s Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology is hoping to find Northampton’s brightest young creative talent by holding a School Arts competition open to sixth form pupils across the county.

Now in its third year, the aim of the competition is for sixth form students from schools and colleges across the region to submit their art work, which will result in a prize-giving ceremony on Thursday 1 December. Selected entries will be exhibited at the University’s Avenue between Friday 2 and Wednesday 16 December 2016.

The nine categories are:

• The Ocee Prize for Drawing
• The Vice Chancellor’s Prize for Fine Art
• Digital and New Media
• 3D Design and Product Design
• Graphics and Illustration
• Fashion and Textiles
• The Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology Prize for the Most Outstanding Work in the Exhibition
• Northampton Town and County Art Society Prize for the Best Work in the Exhibition

Last year’s competition saw submissions from  Lodge Park Academy, Sawtry Village Academy, Denbigh School, Northampton College at Daventry, Kimbolton School, Wellingborough School, Northampton School for Boys, Caroline Chisholm School, Sponne School, Bishop Stopford School, Northampton School for Girls and Ousedale School.

Dr Ralph Darbyshire, Subject Leader for Fine Art at the University of Northampton, commented: “After the outstanding work we saw last year we have expanded our remit to include additional awards with a total prize fund of over £4,000. Thanks to the continuing generosity of our main sponsors including  Ocee Design, plus new sponsors Colemans and the Northampton Town and County Art Society.”

Prizes will be announced during the official opening of the exhibition at Avenue Gallery on Thursday 1st December from 6pm to 8pm.