Glenarm artist wins top title

Leslie Crawford, President of Ballymena Rotary Club, present the first place award for the NI Young Artist of the Year to Sasha McVey, during the recent presentation evening in The Braid. Included are Andrew Haire (4th), Naimh McConaghy (2nd), Roy McKeown (Chairman NI Young Artist of the Year) and John Brodrick (Vision Express). Absent from the photo is Jessica McFee who finished third. INBT17-203AC

Sasha McVey also received a £1000 cash prize and a trophy during the event at the Braid Museum and Arts Centre in Ballymena.

Using both porcelain and black clay Sasha has created exclusive sculptural forms, influenced by the sea, forest, coast and glens using various skills and techniques to enhance the clays and ceramics.

Sasha graduated from the University of Ulster with a BA Honours Contemporary Applied Arts degree and is now a full-time ceramic artist.

Vision Express was the main sponsor of the competition, which was organised by The Rotary Club of Ballymena, together with the Braid Museum and Arts Centre in Ballymena.

The competition was supported by Artworks NI and Raceview Mill.

The work of all the award winners will remain on display in the Braid until April 23.

Afterwards, examples of the winners’ work will be on display in Raceview Mill in Broughshane.

In second, third and fourth place were Niamh McConaghy, Jessica McAfee and Andew Haire respectively.

Artists receiving a highly- commended award were Timothy Adams; Sarah McClure; James Dalton; Matthew Allen; Brian Kielt; Gary Dougan; Jennifer McNeill and Alice Blackstock.

Chairman of the judging panel, Rotarian and gallery owner Roy McKeown said: “It is exciting to think the difference that winning this title can make to a young artist’s career.”