Two Ballakermeen High School students were awarded the top prizes in a prestigious arts competition.

Charlotte Halsall won the the judges’ choice, and Kiara Mae Masterson were awarded the overall first prize in the 2018 Sovereign Art Foundation student’s prize, after a month of deliberation and public voting.

Kiara, 19, produced a mixed media creation entitled All Things Bright and Beautiful, which she created as a statement about animal cruelty in the beauty industry.

Charlotte’s entry was a graphic watercolour, entitled ’Torment’, and was inspired by her own thoughts on the perception and representation of women.

Both students were awarded £1,000 each, with a further £2,000 being awarded to Ballakermeen High School.

The prizes were awarded by Graham Cregeen, Minister for Education and Children, at Soveriegn House on Tuesday.

Sandy Koh, from the Sovereign Group who organises the awards, said that this was the second year they have held the student art competition, and that they saw a marked increase in interest this time around.

’This year, what is so different and pleasing for us is that there are far more votes,’ said Sandy.

’We had more than 2,400 votes, with an increase of 928 votes from last year.

’That shows that there is more public interest, which is great because we wanted to show recognition for the young artists and to recognise the quality of the art work that we have on the island.’

The Sovereign Art Foundation awards are awarded on the basis of both public voting and the critical examination of a panel judges, made up from such artists as Jeremy Paul, Anna Clucas and Maureen Kennaugh.

’Through this I hope that we go from strength to strength, and that more people get involved, viewing the incredible artwork, and taking part.

’We actually got more people from all over the world voting, like from New Zealand and places like that which is great and for the time that the exhibition was up at the Sayle Gallery, we had visitors from America and elsewhere and they really loved the artwork.

’Hopefully it will get to the point where the Sovereign Art foundation award on the Isle of Man is a truly recognised arts prize, which would really help to give students a way forward to develop their arts career.’

by Mike Wade