February 2024

Young artists with proud family and friends packed `Maidstone Museum’s gallery for the presentation of the 2024 Maidstone Young Artist Awards. Supported by Maidstone Museums’ Foundation (MMF), this contest – held every two years – is a showcase for young artistic talent. This year’s theme was “Metamorphosis.”

Popular local artist Graham Clarke chaired the judging panel that also included MMF trustee and designer Bill Stotesbury. Graham was unable to attend the presentation but sent a message, saying he was impressed by the submissions and it was no easy task selecting the winners. “It was especially hard as all the young people who took part have created works of such a high standard,” he said, adding: “The secret of success is hard work…so keep at it.”

Cllr Claudine Russell, Cabinet Member for Communities, Leisure and Arts for Maidstone Borough Council, presented prize money and certificates to the winners and runners-up in two age categories – 14 and under, and 15-25.

Nelly Adams, 12, won £250 for her winning entry Freedom in the under 15 group. She was inspired by the sad death of her great-grandmother to create a Fineliner pen drawing of butterflies, one of her great-grandma’s favourite creatures. “I knew I had to enter the competition for her,” she said. Sophia Fleming was runner-up and won £100.

Ellie Thompson, 18, won the 15-25 age category (£250) for a Self Portrait in Red Kimono from acrylic paint and mixed media on board. It was inspired by classical images of the Virgin Mary and Art Nouveau characterisations of the female form by Gustav Klimt and Alphonse Mucha.  Ellie said: “It expresses the spirituality that bonds us with the natural world.” Rebekah Beavington was runner-up (£100) for her mixed media image entitled Memories.