A talented young artist from Monkton Wood Academy has triumphed over thousands of other students to be named the winner of the Cabot Learning Federation artist of the year competition.
Year 9 student Elsie Ryder’s outstanding line drawing, a unique blend of an everyday scene and famous artwork, impressed audiences, earning her the top spot through an online vote.
Her work had been displayed in an online gallery alongside art created by students from other CLF students between Gloucestershire and Somerset.
Elsie said: “This is an amazing surprise! I am very passionate about art and have worked so hard on this piece. I am absolutely thrilled to receive this award.”
Created as part of her Key Stage 3 Art lessons, the impressive piece took Elsie approximately 10 hours to complete. The inspiration for her artwork came from the celebrated self-taught landscape and portrait artist Ben Hughes.
Elsie’s passion for art is set to continue, as she has now chosen to pursue the subject at GCSE level.
Working across the Cabot Learning Federation’s (CLF) Arts curriculum network, this initiative was created to help showcase all the wonderful artwork being produced across the federation.
All academies had the opportunity to put forward their own Artist of the Year, with finalists’ work displayed digitally in an online exhibition. CLF staff, students and the wider community were invited to visit the virtual gallery and vote for their winner.
The gallery earned 14,000 views and 1,250 votes were cast.
In recognition of Elsie’s achievement, she was presented with a personalised leather art roll by Steve Taylor, CEO of the Cabot Learning Federation.
Heather Essadiq, CLF Curriculum Curator for Art and Design, said: “The wide range of work produced, at such high standards, is a testament to the creativity and hard work of CLF students. One collective community, supporting and raising the next generation of artists.”
