The work of a local artist has been praised after being included in a recent major art exhibition.

Janet Corran’s entry in the recent ’Ellyn’ art exhibition, entitled ’The Teacher’s Cabinet’, was described as ’unique and fascinating’, after being singled out for an award by the UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man.

Janet’s work received praise for responding to the brief of the exhibition, which was the impetus of the Isle of Man, its locality, heritage and environment, as well as including the idea of the ’nature versus nurture’ debate and the importance of environmental learning for young people.

Janet said that she was thrilled to have her work chosen as the winning piece on the exhibition, as it recognised and acknowledged both her artwork and her work as a teacher.

Janet, a psychology teacher based at the University College Isle of Man, created her piece of installation art work by revamping and decorating a disused, ornate cabinet and packing it full of curiosities, each of which celebrated the Isle of Man’s unique UNESCO Biosphere status.

Inside the cabinet is a small house and woodland and, on the sides and front of the cabinet is an assortment of learning sheets, with acetate in front that has handwritten information from Janet, alongside various little inclusions promoting the understanding of nature learning using the environment around you.

’I am thrilled to win’, said Janet.

’This recognition is very motivating as it means that my work has been understood.

’My installation explores how we learn and includes many references taken from my work in education.

’The Ellyn brief was a gift to me, as it allowed me to immerse myself in my own history and summarise what my teaching has been about over the last 30 years.’

The Ellyn exhibition was held over three weeks throughout October and featured the work of 66 different artists who are either based on the island or are connected with the island in some meaningful way.

Following the exhibition, the pieces of artwork were also published in The ’Ellyn: A Tale of Manx Contemporary Art’ book, which is available in bookshops locally.