Young artists star with older generation in St Barbe show
THE talents of artists of all ages are on show at St Barbe Museum’s annual open exhibition.
It has become one of the highlights of the local arts calendar since it was established in 2000, attracting artists from Hampshire, Dorset and beyond. This year there are prints, drawings and three-dimensional pieces in ceramic, bronze, wood and mixed media.
The private view in the Lymington museum’s Rathbones Gallery was well attended by business partners and trustees along with friends and artists with the prizes awarded by St Barbe president Lord Montagu.
This year there were 428 entries and the high overall quality presented a challenge for the judges making their selection. In the end they chose 105 works ranging from vibrant paintings in oil and acrylic to jewel-like prints and quirky sculpture.
Top prize of The Blake Morgan Award for best painting (£250) went to Davina Downes for Welsh Hills in Winter. The Mary and John Symons Memorial Award for best print (£250) was won by Sian Appleyard for Tide Line.
The Coastal Gallery Award for best contemporary abstract work (£100) was won by Keith Rogers with Blush. The Ted Marsh Memorial Award for best work by an artist aged 18-21 (£100) went to Hattie Rogers; and The Beaulieu Fine Arts Award for best work by a non-professional artist (£50 of framing) went to Sue Howard for Apple Trees.
Susan Anderson, Hilary Ball, Bridget Bugg, Pete Durnell, Sue Laws, Julie Massie, Robin Revill Johnson, Jonathan Robins, David Sutherland, and John Welsh were all highly commended.
There is also a People’s Choice Award sponsored by Specsavers of Lymington which visitors to the exhibition can vote for.
Last year saw the inaugural Young Artists' Open providing an opportunity for developing artists up to the age of 17 t show their talents.
This year there were 49 entries, all of which are being displayed in Gallery 3 until 28th April alongside the adult Open exhibition. It is a feast of colour, featuring landscapes, wildlife, still life and works of imagination in pencil, ink, watercolour, acrylic and mixed media.
The young artists’ prizes were in memory of Ted Marsh who was St Barbe’ first chairman of trustees and got the museum project off the ground. The prizes were sponsored by Gordon Young who was also heavily involved in the early days of the museum project.
The winners were Landon Machin (under 7) for Touch the Sun; Maisie Jones (7-11) for Rainbow Lion; and Madelaine Curry (12-17) for Flora.
Most works are available for sale and the main exhibition runs until 2nd June, open daily 10am-5pm, Sundays 10am-4pm.
