Brighton artist Kellie Miller is enthusing the talent of the city’s young artists with the return of the Kellie Miller Art Awards this month. Now in its fourth consecutive year, the awards aim to shine the spotlight on students from local institutions and inspire them to enjoy a career in the arts.
Schools and colleges involved this year include Northbrook Metropolitan College, Varndean College and Roedean School. For the first time, Kellie – an award-winning international artist specialising in sculpture, painting and ceramics and owner of her namesake gallery in Market Street – is pleased to include graduates’ work from the University of Brighton. These winning pieces from the university’s BA Hons 3D Design and Craft and Fine Art Painting courses will, rather excitingly, go on show in Kellie Miller Art Gallery from 24th June – 1st July, giving young artists the opportunity to have their work displayed in a professional environment for the first time.
Kellie visited the private view for the University of Brighton’s Graduate Show last Friday (31st May), where after much deliberation she chose the two winners from the two degree courses. Joe Bulman was awarded the winner of the 3D Design and Craft course with his colourful, creative ceramics celebrating the ‘forgotten’ objects of Brighton, while Alastair Farley – and his paintings focusing on drawing attention to the mundane, everyday and so-called unremarkable
by utilising old photographs – was Kellie’s chosen winner for the Fine Art Painting course. Impressed by the standard of talent, the gallery owner has also asked young artist Ani Grimes (who was named runner up for her paintings reflecting nature and identity) to display one of her pieces in the exhibition taking place later this month.
“I’m honoured that the Kellie Miller Art Awards have been so well received by institutions throughout the area,” Kellie explains. “As the awards develop, I’m excited to include more establishments and see the outstanding work created by our local students.”
“I founded the awards in 2015 as I strongly believe in the value of teaching creativity to young people, and I want to encourage schools and parents who recognise this fundamental life skill and who endorse this by delivering creativity and art throughout a child’s schooling, starting in early years, right though to A-level, to continue and enthuse the artists of the future.”
“It’s been a privilege to visit the University of Brighton and meet their talented students. I can’t wait to see Joe, Alastair and Ani’s work on display in the gallery from 24th June! I’m also looking forward to visiting Northbrook Metropolitan College, Varndean College and Roedean School over the next few weeks and handing out awards at each, too!” Kellie adds.
Kellie’s Market Street neighbours CASS Art are generously sponsoring the awards by giving £20 vouchers to all winners, as well as supplying creative goody bags for the winner, the runner up and those awarded ‘Highly Commended’.
The winning work from the three University of Brighton students will be displayed in an exhibition at Kellie Miller Art Gallery, 20 Market Street, Brighton from 24th June – 1st July 2019.
Address: 20 Market Street
Website: http://www.kelliemillerarts.com
Phone: 01273 329384
Opening Times: April to December Monday to Saturday 11-6, Sunday 11-5. Jan to April Tuesdays Open by appointment
