Young Open arts Winners Announced

Black Swan Arts have announced the winners of their prestigious Young Open art competition. 

The winning entries are on show in the Long Gallery and Round Tower at Black Swan Arts, alongside the judges’ final selection of 166 artworks (from more than 400 entries). 

In the 16–19-year-old category, the winners won a one-to-one session with a local artist. These were Laura O’Brien for Identity (graphic design and animation workshop with David Daniels), Felicity Sloane-White for Mummy and Filly (printmaking workshop with Chris Pig), Poppy Thomas for Is That It? (ceramics workshop with Kim Birchall) and Paopao Yang for Breath (printmaking workshop with Sandra Porter). Highly commended were The Green Velvet Coat by Isabella Weir, Untitled by Amy Diment and Matilda by Arial Fiske de Gouveia. The winners were from Frome College, Bryanston School and Cambridge University. 

In the 12–15-year-old category, the winners also secured a one-to-one workshop. These were Lily Wood for Digital Illustration (photography workshop with Dan Hopkins), Astrid Rogers for Orla (painting and collage workshop with Nicky Knowles), Charlie Matthews for Octo-plasty (sculpture workshop with Toby Holmes) and Bethany Pass for Lights (drawing and painting workshop with Kay Lewis Bell). Highly commended were Red Fox by Edie Ray, Web of Life by Alice Holden and Self-Portrait by Daisy Wellsted. The winners represented Frome College, Hardenhuish School, North Hill House, Oakfield Academy and the Steiner Academy.

In the 8–11-year-old category, the winners of Postscript vouchers for £25 were Lucy Greig (Mrs Quirlock’s Emporium of Herbal Supplies and Rare Plants) and Catherine Mocke (Liquid Fire). Ebba Palma (Colour Pop Cat) and Nell Ttwheam (Little Bird) were awarded with Studio Prints vouchers for £25. Highly commended were Self-Portrait by Sean Markey, On the Lookout! by Edie Petherick and Monster Times by Xavi Bennett. The winners represented All Hallows School, Kilmersdon Primary School, Oakfield Academy and Warminster Prep.

The show continues until Saturday 27th April. There is a children’s art trail to follow around the building, and visitors who vote for their favourite artwork will be entered into a raffle to win an Ellenbray voucher.

For more information, please visit www.black swan arts.org.uk or contact Black Swan Arts on 01373 473980 or exhibitions@b lackswanarts .org.uk.

Pictured left: Poppy Thomas – Is That It?; Ebba Palma – Colour Pop Cat; Paopao Yang – Breath; Astrid Rogers – Orla; Charlie Matthews – Octo-plasty; and Nell Ttwheam – Little Bird.