Students' art on show in London gallery

Jodie Arkell, from year nine, Olivia Ripley and Katie Webster, from year 10, and Charlotte Johnson and Paris Hartley, both in year 11, have had their art work hung in the Mall Galleries.

The five students were entered into The National Students’ Art Exhibition, which was organised by the Royal Society of British Artists. Their work was professionally framed and exhibited to parents before being sent to London.

Nial Amer, head of art at the Normanton academy, said: “It is the third consecutive year students’ work will be exhibited in what is a prestigious exhibition. The quality from all of our students who entered, not just the five selected, was outstanding. We have some incredibly talented artists at the academy. The bar has been raised this year with the quality and diversity of students’ work.”

It was the second year that Olivia, who also won Artist of the Academy this year, had work chosen for the exhibition. Her impressions of late musicians David Bowie and Prince impressed the London judging panel this year.

Mr Amer said: “Olivia’s skill level is already above A-Level standard and she continues to amaze us week in, week out with her determination, focus and commitment to being the best that she can be.” 

He also gave a special mention to Sylwia Topolska, from year 7, who submitted an “incredible piece of work”, combining abstraction and skulls in pencil and charcoal,

Kelci Grant and Kian Erakovic, both in year 8, and Mollie Burrow, from year nine, also entered the contest.

The students have already been to see the Mall Galleries exhibition during a trip paid for by the academy’s Foundation Governors. The exhibition runs until July 9.