The winners of "The Art Apprentice" have just been announced. Students from the Horsham area took part in the exhibition on the theme of "NOW!" which is being held at at Roffey Park Institute. Staff and visitors were invited to vote for their favourites., and winners were also chosen by a panel of invited artists, comprising Jessica Palmer, Claire Phillips, Rosalyn Mina, Elizabeth Sharp and John Thompson. This is the first year of the competition, which is aimed at inspiring teenagers who would like a career in art.

Winners are :-Hope Laker, Dean Bates, Chris Saunders, Lorna Cook, and Grace Arnold.

Runners-up are :- Christopher Sutton, Lara Rodwell, Emily Johnson, Molly-Spikesman-Powell and Sarah Madeley.

Certificates of Merit awarded to:- Emily McFarling and Hannah Couchman.

This is a photo from the West Sussex County Times, showing Hope Laker's skillful winning entry, "Hands of the Forest", which was purchased by a visitor to the exhibition. Also visible are Chris Saunders' photo paper weaving, "Holiday", Molly Spikesman-Powell's poetic text, "An Explosion in its Simplest Form" and Sarah Madeley's winning mixed media piece, "Flutter".

I was delighted with the variety of media and techniques used by the students, and many people commented on the high standard of the work.

Prizes include a day workshop with an experienced artist, a selection of materials kindly provided by Seawhite Ltd of Partridge Green, and an A3 print of their work, provided by Foundry Press of Horsham.

Many thanks to the students and their hardworking teachers from Collyers' College, Millais School, The Art Academy and Farlington School, and to everyone who has been involved in this exciting new project, particularly to Roffey Park for hosting us!