Young Bedford Artists Showcase Big Ambitions in ‘Aspire’ Exhibition
An art exhibition funded by The Harpur Trust and delivered in partnership with The Higgins Bedford, featuring over 100 pieces of artwork, created by pupils from 40 schools across the borough, has opened with a special awards ceremony celebrating the creativity and achievements of young people from across Bedford Borough.
The exhibition, Aspire: Nurturing Your Potential, is on display at The Higgins Bedford throughout the summer.
Students, their families, teachers, judges, artists and those working in education and the arts attended the opening evening, marking the culmination of this year’s competition.
Youngsters, aged 4 to 18, created artwork in response to the question: What are your hopes and dreams, aspirations and ambitions?
The Trust received around 400 entries, with judges selecting 118 pieces to be displayed. Each school and college is represented, with at least two works included across five age categories, alongside a range of prize-winning and highly commended artworks.
Award winners were recognised during the opening evening by a panel of esteemed presenters, including Susan Lousada, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Tom Perrett, Head of Leisure & Culture at Bedford Borough Council, judges Elaine Midgley, Director of Bedford Creative Arts, and Dionne Ible of Quemamu Mosaics, as well as Bella Brown, Group Chief of Staff at Youth TV group CIC.
Lucy Bardner, Community Programmes Director at The Harpur Trust, said: “It was a real pleasure to celebrate with our Art Competition finalists, their families and teachers. The standard of this year’s entries has been outstanding. The creativity, thoughtfulness and individuality on display are truly inspiring.
“At The Harpur Trust, we have supported generations of young people for 460 years. We’re here for everyone in Bedford, every child, every family and every community, and through events like this we aim to help young people dream big and realise their ambitions.
“Programmes like this are very much a shared effort with our schools, community and borough partners, all working to raise aspirations and nurture the talents of young Bedfordians, now and for generations to come.”
This marks The Harpur Trust’s sixth biennial art competition and exhibition. As part of the project, The Trust provided professional development sessions for teachers and creative workshops for pupils, led by professional artists.
This year, 14 artists worked with more than 1,000 children, helping them explore ideas, experiment with techniques and bring their creative visions to life. It’s the largest number of artists involved in the project to date.
The artists were: Abigail Rai, Amanda Silk, Amina Pagliari, Anne Marie Abbate, Callum Abbott, Claire Bliss, Emily Baxter, Fiona Wilson, Katie Allen, Lisa Tilley, Paige Denham, Philippa McDonald, Ross Bolwell-Williams and Sophie Gresswell.
Councillor John Wheeler, Portfolio Holder for Customer Experience (inc. Leisure, Recreation and Culture), at Bedford Borough Council, said: “It’s a privilege to support this fantastic exhibition celebrating the creativity and ambition of young people across the borough. The Higgins Bedford has been involved with this competition for the past ten years, and while the gallery has hosted works by renowned artists such as Picasso and Edward Bawden, there is just as much pride and enjoyment in showcasing the creativity of young people from our own community.
“Alongside our judge Victoria Partridge from The Higgins and the wider panel, I was hugely impressed by the quality and imagination of the work on display. It’s wonderful to see how thoughtfully pupils have responded to the theme of aspirations and ambitions. These young artists represent a bright and exciting future for our borough. Visitors are encouraged to come along and experience this inspiring showcase of young artistic talent.”
The exhibition runs until 4 October. You can find further information and a list of all winners and those highly commended, as well as view their artwork at visit www.harpur-art-competition.org.uk