ART students have been given the chance to showcase their talent alongside past British masters after being shortlisted in a BBC arts competition.
Cleveland College of Art & Design students Jamie Keenan and Connor Shields have seen their work put on display in The Royal Academy of Art’s historic Reynolds Room, after being shortlisted in The One Show’s Summer Art Competition.
Open to amateur artists from across the UK the competition invited entries on canvas or paper, covering any theme.
From over 1,100 submissions Jamie and Connor, both of Middlesbrough were named as two of the 24 shortlisted entries to receive the honour of being displayed in the Royal Academy alongside great British artists such as Constable, Gainsborough and Turner.
CCAD fine art course leader Judith Crompton said: “It is wonderful that out of so many entries across the country two of the shortlisted artworks were from students at our college.
“To have your work shown at The Royal Academy of Art is always an incredible achievement and it is extremely rewarding for both Jamie and Connor.”
Chosen by royal academic Michael Landy, actress Maureen Lipman, journalist Andrew Marr and Radio 1 Breakfast Show host Nick Grimshaw, the shortlisted artworks were judged on their originality, composition, control and use of chosen medium.
Jamie, 20, who submitted a painting of the Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge, said: “We heard about The One Show Summer Art Competition from the tutors here at CCAD.
“I submitted my work but didn’t think much more about it. It was the first competition I’d ever entered so I didn’t expect to hear anything back.
“When I got the call to say that I’d made the long-list I was really excited, then I got another call to say I’d made the shortlist and was even more excited.
“Having the opportunity to have your work shown in The Royal Academy is just unbelievable and for two students from the same college to both be shortlisted just goes to show the talent that we have in the North East and the standard of work that CCAD help you to achieve.”
Both Jamie’s artwork and Connor’s painting of Hearst Castle, California, will be on display in The Royal Academy until August 9.
For more information on opportunities at CCAD contact (01642) 288888 or log on to www.ccad.ac.uk.
