Over 200 people have entered a brand new Cumbrian art competition.
The Margaret Harrison and Conrad Atkinson 2025 award for drawing, named after two of its world-renowned artistic alumni, is aiming to inspire young people and bring forward future talent.
Entries have been received from sixth form and college students from across Cumbria, northern England and southern Scotland.
The young artists, aged between 16 to 19-years-old, have been asked to explore the theme of identity and self and have each created a portrait on an A5 postcard which explores the complexities of personal identity, cultural background, and self-perception.
Colourful and creative, adopting a range of media and materials, the entries have been judged by University of Cumbria Vice Chancellor Professor Julie Mennell DL and Professor Emertius Margaret Harrison, who is an Honorary Fellow of the university.
Renowned feminist artist Professor Emeritus Margaret Harrison was a student at the Brampton Road site, formerly the Carlisle College of Art, from 1957 to 1961 before she went on to study at the Royal Academy Schools in London and Perugia Fine Arts Academy in Italy.
Margaret said: “The entries are very impressive, and the students have all obviously thought through and grasped the topic.”
Four winners have been selected and each will receive prize vouchers.
A special exhibition of all entries has also been hosted by the Vallum Gallery at the University of Cumbria Brampton Road campus.
Principal lecturer Claire Inglis said: “I’m immensely proud of the creativity and talent showcased by our young artists in the inaugural Margaret Harrison and Conrad Atkinson Award for Drawing.
“Their exploration of identity and self through art is truly inspiring, and I’m excited to see how these budding artists will continue to develop and contribute to the world of art.”
The competition is organised by the BA (Hons) Fine Art programme team, part of the university’s Institute of Education, Arts and Society.
