Gower College Swansea students win Rob Brydon competition

Four Gower College Swansea students have been presented with prizes for the under 18 category of the 9to90 Creative Community Portrait Competition.

The annual competition, organized by Jane Simpson of GSArtists, gives the community an opportunity to come together from all ages and abilities and to have their work exhibited in the gallery. This year, however, the exhibition was virtual and the theme was actor Rob Brydon, with Brydon and his family judging the entries.

“Thank you so much to everyone who took part in this,” Brydon tweeted, “-so much talent in such difficult circumstances. By which I mean the pandemic, not the subject” he joked.

The winning students were:

Winner: Seren-Haf Davies
Runner up: Llinos Dando
Highly Commended x 2: Kaitlin Law and Maegen Kenvin

All students are currently studying Level 1 Art & Design.

Seren-Haf and Llinos opted for traditional illustrations with a mosaic-like collage, whilst Kaitlin and Maegen’s portraits were digital.

“9to90 is is an excellent nonprofit event to celebrate the arts and promote local talent,” says Marilyn Jones, Art and Design Lecturer and the winners’ tutor, “The students who take part gain so much from the process of answering a real-life brief, exploring techniques, applying skills, exhibiting their work and receiving comments and judgment.

“This has built their confidence and self-esteem, as well as rewarding them with amazing art prizes. For some this has been the first competition they have ever won, raising their spirits during this pandemic and proving that creativity can benefit us all.”