Hereford College of Arts has announced the winners of their annual Young Arts Competitions. HCA’s Young Photographer Competition was open to budding photographers aged between 9 and 19 and the Brian Hatton Young Artist Competition was open to aspiring artists aged between 5 and 16.

This year the competitions did not have themes – entrants were encouraged to be inventive by taking creative risks and having fun.

This year, HCA’s Young Photographer Competition was anonymously judged by Alex Thimm – BA (Hons) Photography course leader at HCA, Colin Smith – Head of Art at Hereford Sixth Form and Emma Pritchard - BA (Hons) Photography student at HCA. When asked to comment about the Young Photographer Competition, Alex Thimm said that the entries ‘strongly reflect personal interests as well as creative thought’. Emma Pritchard stated that the competition is a ‘good opportunity to highlight local talent/youth’.

The judges were asked to take three principles into account when judging: the creativity of the entry, technical skills and the overall visual impact. With just under 200 entries to choose from, the judges had a tough job deciding on prize winners. After much deliberation, they finally reached a decision on the winners of the three age groups.

In the 9-11 years category, the winner of 1st place is Poppy Emmett from Kingstone and Thruxton Primary School with a wonderful image taken of a friend jumping in a field, accompanied by a backdrop of trees. Charlie Dallow, also from Kingstone and Thruxton Primary School took second place, and Charlie Miller from Oswestry School came in at 3rd place.

In the 12-15 years age group Lucy Smith from The Kingstone Academy won 1st place with an image of Hereford bus station at sunset, capturing the urban atmosphere perfectly. In 2nd place came Mollie Hales from the Hereford Academy, and in 3rd place was Michael Davies from Croesyceiliog School.

In the oldest age group, 16-19 years, Ruby Bunnett from Hereford College of Arts won 1st place with a contemporary and innovative landscape image of grass in contrasting colours. Clara Langrick from Hereford Sixth Form College took 2nd place, and Sarah Taylor, also of Hereford Sixth Form College came in 3rd.

The judges of this year’s Brian Hatton Young Artist Competition were Ben Gamble – Head of Further Education and HCA, Lucy Baxendale – Artist and Short Course Tutor at HCA, Nuala Hussey – MA Fine Art student at HCA and Abby Ford who is also a MA Fine Art student at HCA. Ben Gamble commented that he was ‘very impressed with the level of skill, especially in observational drawing and entries that looked at the environment and sustainability’. The competition had just over 100 entries.

When deciding on prize winners, judges were asked to look at the overall visual impact of the entry, the originality of the artwork, and how inspired they were by Herefordshire artist, Brian Hatton.

In the 5-8 years category, the winner of 1st place is Oliver Seekings-Jenkinson from St James’ Primary School with a brilliant water themed entry, showcasing a variety of different techniques, having a big visual impact. Ekaterina Rooney, from Moreton Hall School took a close second place, and Evie Bobryzcki from Weobley Primary School came in at 3rd place.

In the 9-11 years age group Charlie Miller from Oswestry School won 1st place with his wonderful entry that features drawings of six birds against a variety of brightly coloured backgrounds. In 2nd place came Ralph Warner from St Mary’s RC High School, and in 3rd place was Tessa Morgan from Canon Pyon Academy.

In the oldest age group, 13-16 years, Caitlin Smith from St Mary’s RC High School won 1st place with her energetic, mixed media entry that features a variety of textures. Kiara Kenney from Moreton Hall School took 2nd place, and Pippa Harris from Bishops Bluecoat of Hereford School came in 3rd.

To celebrate the work of Brian Hatton, the Young Artist Competition also awards special prizes. The Brian Hatton Award for Creativity went to Jessica Morgan from Weobley High School, who wowed the judges with her impressive portrait entry, which the judges said was an extremely ‘striking piece of work’. The Brian Hatton Award for School Engagement was awarded to Moreton Hall school who had a variety of entries in all categories, featuring use of different mediums throughout.

An exhibition showcasing all of the entries from both of the competitions will be on display at HCA’s Folly Lane Campus, from Thursday 9 May – Friday 24 May, Monday to Friday, 9am to 4.30pm.