Thought-provoking portrait competition showcases North’s young artist talents
A new University of Cumbria competition named after two of its world-renowned artistic alumni is inspiring young, future talent.
More than 200 entries have been submitted to the inaugural Margaret Harrison and Conrad Atkinson 2025 Award for Drawing from sixth form and college students across Cumbria, northern England and southern Scotland.
Teenage artists from Carlisle College and the city’s Richard Rose Central Academy; Ullswater Community College in Penrith; Borders College in Galashiels; Cardinal Newman College in Preston; West Lancashire College in Skelmersdale; Carmel College in St Helen’s, Merseyside; The City of Liverpool College; and Bolton College all submitted entries that delve into who they are and what shapes them.
The young artists, predominantly aged 16-19 years, have been exploring the theme of identity and self and were invited to create a portrait on an A5 postcard which explores the complexities of personal identity, cultural background, and self-perception.
Colourful and creative, adopting a range of media and materials, the entries have been judged by University of Cumbria Vice Chancellor Professor Julie Mennell DL and Professor Emertius Margaret Harrison, who is an Honorary Fellow of the university.
Renowned feminist artist Professor Emeritus Margaret Harrison was a student at the Brampton Road site, formerly the Carlisle College of Art, from 1957 to 1961 before she went on to study at the Royal Academy Schools in London and Perugia Fine Arts Academy in Italy.
Margaret said: “The entries are very impressive, and the students have all obviously thought through and grasped the topic.”
Four winners have been selected and each will receive prize vouchers.
A special exhibition of all entries has been hosted by the Vallum Gallery at the University of Cumbria Brampton Road campus.
Principal lecturer Claire Inglis said: “I’m immensely proud of the creativity and talent showcased by our young artists in the inaugural Margaret Harrison and Conrad Atkinson Award for Drawing.
“Their exploration of identity and self through art is truly inspiring, and I’m excited to see how these budding artists will continue to develop and contribute to the world of art.”
The competition has been organised by the BA (Hons) Fine Art programme team, part of the university’s Institute of Education, Arts and Society.
This week (w/c 20 January) the Institute’s Brampton Road campus in Carlisle is hosting Creatopia, a week of free, public taster activities from a Game Jam, to wildlife walks and bird box making sessions, to TV studio workshops. For full details and to book, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/creatopia-3941933.
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Pictured l-r: Fine artist and competition creator Katy Little; Claire Inglis, principal lecturer, university’s Institute of Education, Arts and Society (IoEAS); competition judge and university Honorary Fellow Margaret Harrison; Karen Jones, business manager, IoEAS; and Professor Julie Mennell DL, Vice Chancellor, University of Cumbria