An art competition showcasing over 100 works of art by pupils from 40 schools across Bedford Borough has opened at the Higgins.
The Aspire: Nurturing Your Potential exhibition is funded by the Harpur Trust in partnership with local schools, professional artists and the Higgins Bedford and runs until 4 October.
It is the sixth biennial art competition and exhibition that the Harpur Trust has curated, and as part of the project, the Trust provided professional development sessions for teachers and creative workshops for pupils, led by professional artists.
Working with 14 professional artists, over 1,000 youngsters from primary to sixth form created artwork in response to the question: What are your hopes and dreams, aspirations and ambitions?
The 14 artists helped the children explore ideas to bring their creative visions to life.
It’s the largest number of artists involved in the project to date, including Abigail Rai, Amanda Silk, Amina Pagliari, Anne Marie Abbate, Callum Abbott, Claire Bliss, Emily Baxter, Fiona Wilson, Katie Allen, Lisa Tilley, Paige Denham, Philippa McDonald, Ross Bolwell-Williams and Sophie Gresswell.
The Harpur Trust received around 400 entries, with judges selecting 118 pieces to be displayed at the Higgins on Castle Lane.
Each school and college is represented, with at least two works included across five age categories, alongside a range of prize-winning and highly commended artworks.
Opening night
The opening night featured a special awards ceremony, celebrating the creativity and achievements of young people from across Bedford Borough, with presenters including Susan Lousada, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire and Bella Brown of Youth TV CIC.
Students, their families, teachers, judges, artists and those working in education and the arts attended the opening evening, marking the culmination of this year’s competition.
Award winners were recognised during the opening by not only the Lord-Lieutenant, but also Tom Perrett, head of leisure & culture at Bedford Borough Council, judges Elaine Midgley, director of Bedford Creative Arts, and Dionne Ible of Quemamu Mosaics.
Lucy Bardner, community programmes director at The Harpur Trust, said: “It was a real pleasure to celebrate with our Art Competition finalists, their families and teachers.
“The standard of this year’s entries has been outstanding. The creativity, thoughtfulness and individuality on display are truly inspiring.
“At The Harpur Trust, we have supported generations of young people for 460 years.
“We’re here for everyone in Bedford, every child, every family and every community, and through events like this we aim to help young people dream big and realise their ambitions.”
A bright and exciting future
Cllr John Wheeler, portfolio holder for customer experience (inc. leisure, recreation and culture), at Bedford Borough Council, said: “It’s a privilege to support this fantastic exhibition celebrating the creativity and ambition of young people across the borough.
“The Higgins Bedford has been involved with this competition for the past ten years, and while the gallery has hosted works by renowned artists such as Picasso and Edward Bawden, there is just as much pride and enjoyment in showcasing the creativity of young people from our own community.
“Alongside our judge Victoria Partridge from The Higgins and the wider panel, I was hugely impressed by the quality and imagination of the work on display.
“It’s wonderful to see how thoughtfully pupils have responded to the theme of aspirations and ambitions.
“These young artists represent a bright and exciting future for our borough.
“I encourage everyone to come along and experience this inspiring showcase of young artistic talent.”
The exhibition runs until 4 October. You can find further information and a list of all winners and those highly commended, as well as view their artwork at visit harpur-art-competition.org.uk.
ENDS
