STUDENT SUCCESS IN ART COMPETITION
9th March 2010
A second-year BA (Hons) Illustration student has been named as a finalist in the Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance Art of Nurture student art competition.
.jpg "Darren Cranmer's 'Innovation'")
Darren Cranmer, 27, was one of three winners of the South West and Wales heats of the competition, which took place at The Royal West of England Academy, Bristol. Darren received £250 and a matched amount for the University College.
The nationwide competition, now in its fourth year, was developed in partnership with Arts & Business, a national arts-based charity, and the Princes Trust, a charity which helps change young peoples’ lives. The aim is to discover new talent among the UK's most creative art students and give them the opportunity to present their work to the business world.
Darren will now go head to head with students from across the UK in a bid to have his designs used in a high-profile national advertising campaign for Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance, as well the chance to win paid work placements. Darren’s work will be shown at the Saatchi Gallery, London, at the national final on 13 April. The panel of judges will include artist and illustrator Brian Grimwood, who has worked on posters and advertising campaigns all over the world.
Darren said: “I’m so pleased to have got this far in the competition and I am very excited about the prospect of having my work shown in a national gallery. I have gained so much valuable experience already and being able to put a commercial marketing campaign in my portfolio will look really professional.”
James Hester regional director for Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance in the South West and Wales said “The Art of Nurture competition always attracts a very high quality of entries. Some 500 entries were put forward from students at over 50 art colleges across the UK. This competition is a huge opportunity for anyone wanting to pursue a career in art and design as it shows they are able to accurately follow a brief and produce professional work.”
Lisa Richardson, course leader for BA (Hons) Illustration at the Arts University College at Bournemouth, said “We’re delighted that Darren is a finalist in this competition. Not only is it a prestigious event in itself, but it also offers a great opportunity for him to engage with the commercial world. We are proud of our reputation as a specialist university which not only supports students in all aspects of their learning but also encourages them to engage in live projects.”