An international art competition aimed at year 14 students has set its sights on Manx creative talent.

The Sovereign Art Foundation is being held on the Isle of Man for the first time this year, and the short-listed works of art, created by island school students, has gone on display at the Sayle Gallery.

All the island’s high schools, along with the University College Isle of Man entered their entire final year art works, which a panel of nine judges, including Professor Michael Sandle and the Sayle Gallery’s Carola Rush, selected the final shortlist of 12 paintings and photographs to go forward for a public vote to decide the top three.

The Sovereign Art Foundation is a long-running competition created by international corporate service provider the Sovereign Group.

The first competition was held in Hong Kong, in 2003, and is now considered to be a highly prestigious arts award.

Since then the company has expanded the competition to its other bases, included Guernsey, Dubai, Singapore and, now, the Isle of Man.

Sandi Koh, coordinator of the arts foundation on the Isle of Man, hopes the competition can continue to grow year on year.

’For the first year, the standard is actually very good,’ she said.

’Based on the feedback I have received from the judges, the standard is considered to be very high. Professor Sandle was very impressed with the pieces, the detail in the work and the thinking process behind each piece too.

’It shows that art is not just an easy subject, and that a lot of hard work went into making these pieces.’

The public can view the final 12 pieces and cast a vote, either through the Facebook page, the Sovereign Group website or in person at the gallery.

The exhibition runs until November 12, and the winning pictures will be announced on Friday, December 15.

The proceeds of the competition will be split between the Art Foundation, which helps international children’s charities, and Rebecca House on the Isle of Man.

by Mike Wade

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