Higher Ed.
Fine Art exhibition winners!
Talented Alton College student Nathan Ward, previously at Amery Hill School, and College alumna Martha Dobson, previously at Eggar's School have been selected from over 350 submissions to have their paintings on display at the Lloyds Register Gallery from 11 February to 11 March, and then at the Royal Society of British Artists annual show at the Mall Galleries, London from 17 March to 2 April. Nathan's painting (left) is entitled Man with Apple and Martha's picture is a portrait of her Grandfather called Portrait of a Gentleman. Nathan is currently studying an Art Foundation course at Alton College and Martha finished her studies at Alton College in the summer having gained an A in A level Art & Design, A in Biology and B in Spanish.
As part of his Art Foundation course, Nathan is going to specialise in Graphic Design, his particular interest is in paper craft applied in a Graphic Design context. He is currently applying to university to study an art-based degree and is keeping his options open for which particular university to attend. He said 'I am thrilled by the opportunity presented to me by the NADFAS RBA's decision. It is every artist's dream to achieve recognition and have their work appreciated by a wider audience.' Like Martha's painting, Nathan's portrait is also of his grandfather. He explained 'I chose to paint him with the apple to signify his lifetime's work in fruit production.'
Martha is currently taking a gap year and plans to study Paediatric Nursing at University in 2016. Martha explained in the meantime she is saving to go travelling and work in the US. She said: 'I'm waitressing and teaching dancing to fund my travels next year. I'm also taking part in Camp America next summer'.
Enterprising Martha has also started a Facebook page to showcase her artwork and has already received four enquiries about commissions. She said she is 'very excited to have one of my paintings chosen to be in two London exhibitions'. She continued: 'My silly old Grandpa's face up alongside some amazing professional artist's work…what fun!'
Ivan Bicknell, Art Teacher, taught Martha during her time at Alton College. He said: 'Martha was a charming and very talented student who was a pleasure to teach. She made fantastic progress during her time at Alton College and during the second year of the course her confidence and skill with painting grew remarkably'. He added: 'The exquisite work that has been selected for this prestigious exhibition opportunity in London was the culmination of her A Level Examination Unit. I hope this recognition is the start of a long and successful art career for Martha.'
Chloe Bevan, from NADFAS (The National Association of Decorative & Fine Arts Societies) explained that this year 55 societies from across the UK submitted 348 works from 89 schools which gave the RBA council a difficult decision to make on the winners. Martha's piece was submitted by the Alton Decorative and Fine Arts Society.
The selected artwork can be viewed online here
To find out more about studying Art at Alton College visit http://www.altoncollege.ac.uk/sixth-form/finding-a-course/a-as-level/art-and-design
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