YOUNG designers of the future can apply for a Henley Arts Trail competition for pupils in years 11 to 13.
The deadline for ArtSpark is this Friday.
ArtSpark winners will have the opportunity to try a specialist art or craft skill of their choosing, taught by a professional and expert in their field.
Wendy Penrose, jewellery designer and chair of the Henley Arts Trail, said: “ When I set up the competition the aim was to support up and coming young artists – to give them recognition and confidence but, more importantly, to teach them skills in a specialist media that they might not have experience of in school.
“There are so many different ways of being creative and the winners of ArtSpark get to choose from one of seven different types of media to be taught by one of the professional artist from the Henley Arts Trail.
“They get to choose from silver jewellery making, photography, wheel thrown pottery, sculpture, watercolours, oil painting, and life drawing.”
Anjali Shanker won the inaugural ArtSpark Prize, and received a one-to-one master class with award winning Wokingham jewellery designer and author Janet Richardson.
Anjali said: ” Being given this opportunity to work one-on-one with a practising artist who has mastered her craft, with her own sense of artistry was inspiring.
“It encouraged me to develop my work in new mediums that I would not have the confidence to pursue previously.
“Having access to a one-on-one art course is the best way to learn and has made me more determined to keep pushing myself as an artist and an individual.”
Janet Richardson won a Gold level award at the Goldsmiths Craft & Design Competition – the Oscars for Jewellers – and is author of ’Silver Jewellery Making’ a book that offers a step by step guide to the craft.
The 2025 ArtSpark competition is open for applications.
Any last minute applicants should apply now.
In addition to the specialist tuition, kindly sponsored by The Art Society Henley, Bracknell-based Daler Rowney are generously offering the winners £75 worth of art materials.
The deadline for applications is Friday, February 28th.
To apply, visit: henleyartstrail.com/artspark
