Students from Ballakermeen High School took three of the top four places in the first presentation of a new major art competition to be held on the island.

The top awards in the Sovereign Art Foundation Students Prize 2017 were awarded to art students Ella Garvey and Alice Lodge at the presentation evening, attended by the Lt Governor Sir Richard Gozney.

The winning pieces of artwork were chosen after a month-long exhibition at the Sayle Gallery, held throughout Novemeber.

The display featured selected work from a shortlist of 12 artists from the island’s schools and the University College Isle of Man.

The top award was chosen by public vote, which went to Ella Garvey for her work, entitled ’Adolescence’, with second place going to fellow Ballakermeen student Georgia Morrow for her entry, called ’Courtship’.

Ramsey Grammar School pupil Tom Foulis took the third prize for his striking photographic work, called ’Wrath’.

The judge’s choice award went to Ballakermeen student Alice Lodge for her eye-catching painting ’Contemplation’.

The competition is one of many such awards organised by the international finance house Sovereign Group, who hold similar competitions in other areas where they are based.

The competition raised more than £7000, of which half went to Rebecca House.

’It was a pleasure to host the inaugural Isle of Man schools prize and we hope to continue this in the coming years,’ said Gill Graham, director of Sovereign Trust (IOM) Ltd.

’The standard of artwork of the 12 finalists was exceptional, and congratulations to the prize winners. Special congratulations to Ballakermeen High School who had 3 of the winning students.’