Lockdown Art Group Take Top Honours
Local artist Emma Hunt thought her live sessions would be a great way for people to get through lockdown but she never expected her class would raise money for PPE in a competition with respected artists as judges.
“We ended up raising £1165 and I have to pat students on the back for surviving lockdown,” said Emma. “I’m so proud of all 34 submissions and all of the others that didn’t enter but have come along so far.“
Winners were announced with 1st prize going to Lynne Pritchard who won an original piece of Emma Hunt art worth £150 for her view of Sunset Beach.
2nd place went to Katie Greenough who won art material with her picture of Workington Pier.
Michael Gibbs took 3rd place and a selection of greetings cards by Emma Hunt with a view of Tynemouth.
The popular prize went to Lorraine Mary Alfaro who won an Emma Hunt original worth £150.
Sue Reid was one of the judges, she said: “I’ve been watching the classes and the students have grown so much in both skill and confidence in response to Emma’s encouragement. It’s also been a great way for the students to connect, not only through the art but also with their own personal stories.
The View, Tynemouth beautifully captured the feel of the Northumberland coast. Simple but effective in style and well-considered use of colour, line and composition. Workington Pier is a confident painting. I particularly liked the contrast of the harsh working environment with the serene sunset reflecting in the well-executed sea.
Sunrise Beach had to be the winner for me. It encapsulated what I’ve been missing most under lockdown. Smooth, wet sand, gentle waves and stunning skies made me want to run into the waves, to be part of the elements and experience freedom and joy. I honestly find it hard to believe Lynne is so new to this.
Winner Lynne Pritchard said: “When Emma organised the Lockdown Students Prize, I really wasn’t sure it was worth me entering as I felt so many of the other students were far better than me. I already had one pastel in mind that I had painted back in May and I just about finished the second pastel I wanted to enter in time for the deadline so I entered both.
Results day arrived and I was overjoyed when Emma announced I had won the first prize of the original landscape and the chance to have an opportunity to have my piece exhibited at the ‘Evan Gallery’ in Penrith.
I’ve had some wonderful comments, support and encouragement from family, friends and other pastel artists who are far more accomplished in this medium than myself.
If not for this awful pandemic and having been furloughued during lockdown, I may never have known that I had any flair for art. I’m now very much looking forward to my retirement. All in all, I can honestly say its been quite a surprising, positive and uplifting few months for me.”
Her work is currently being arranged to be displayed at EVAN galleries in Penrith alongside Emma’s.
The youngest entrant Ava Tait deserves a special mention (with her work above) as she’s only 12 years old and has loved the workshops as an antidote to lockdown blues.
Emma uses art to cope with illness, click the link below to read her story.
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