Kilmarnock teens get art work on show

Dec 26 2008 by Stef Lach, Kilmarnock Standard

THE work of Scotland’s brightest young artists is being showcased at a unique exhibition at the iconic People’s Palace on Glasgow Green – and two Kilmarnock teenagers are making a big impression.

Among the 100 spectacular and inspirational works of art on display are works by Adele Knox of James Hamilton Academy and Tammy Johnstone of Kilmarnock Academy.

The People’s Palace exhibition is the second in a series of Scottish Qualifications Authority exhibitions being held at major venues across the country over the next six months.

The Scottish Parliament hosted the first exhibition last month and the final one will also be in Edinburgh, at the National Gallery of Scotland.

The events are designed to showcase the creative talent of Scotland’s brightest young artists. The People’s Palace exhibition features works of art submitted by Art and Design candidates during this year’s SQA examinations for Standard Grade, Intermediate 1 & 2 and Higher.

This will be the first time that this venue has been used to display works of art by SQA candidates. The exhibition runs until Friday, January, 16.

The event is organised by the SQA, in partnership with Culture and Sport Glasgow and sponsored by the Scottish Government, the Educational Institute of Scotland, Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework, Leckie & Leckie and Sterling Furniture.

The vast majority of artists featured range from 15-18 years of age. As well as paintings, exhibits will also include sculpture, design, ceramics, fashion and jewellery.

Dr Janet Brown, chief executive of SQA, said: “The works of art that have been selected are not being displayed simply because they were awarded top marks but because they show the quality, depth and the breathtaking imagination and creativity of Scotland’s young artists.

“Of course we would like to have included many more but those on display show the quite exceptional levels of work being produced by students, with support from their teachers, the length and breadth of Scotland. We thank them all for their hard work over the past year.”

Designed to highlight some of the best examples of work from aspiring artists, the exhibition has been organised with teachers, students of art in schools and colleges, as well as the general public, in mind.

To support the exhibition and ensure that teachers and students get maximum benefit from their visit, a fully illustrated catalogue will be available. A student catalogue is also available– both free of charge.