Six of the best pick up first national award
Young students worked for three months to gain art qualification
Published:
A GROUP of young Moray artists have become the first in Scotland to get a national award for their creativity.
The six students, all aged from 16 to 21, and from a mix of backgrounds, have worked towards the art qualification every Friday over the last three months at Moray Art Centre near Findhorn.
Yesterday they were presented with their bronze medals by Moray MSP Angus Robertson.
Their work included photography, life drawing, studying contemporary and historic artists, and writing a review of an exhibition.
The students who received the award were Kate Stuart, 17, from Fogwatt, Yvonne Murphy, 21, Becca Todd, 16, and Sam Grant, 16, all from Elgin, Kaeli Gibson, 16, from Burghead, and Ashleigh Dean, 19, from Forres.
The scheme, open to 11 to 25-year-olds, is similar to the Duke of Edinburgh certificate where young people work towards achieving bronze, silver and gold awards and earn points which could lead to them being accepted on to a college or university course.
The Arts Award, which originated in England and is accredited through Trinity Guildhall University in London, is being piloted at Moray Art Centre with the help of Scott Byrne, programme co-ordinator at the centre, and Sue Watsham, art award adviser with Moray Council.
Mr Byrne said: “I was really impressed by the way the young people motivated themselves and each other to achieve some fantastic results that they can be proud of.”
The students will now go on to work towards their silver medal.
Young people in Moray are being invited to join the new intake for the bronze award.
The sessions start on Friday, November 6, and run from 2.30 to 4pm at the young person studio at Moray Art Centre. More information is available by phoning Scott Byrne on 01309 692426.
