Gray's Student Artists win chance of national exposure

Three students from Gray's School of Art have secured a place in the national final of Art of Nurture, a prestigious national art competition run by Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance.

The winners of the Scottish heats of the competition were announced last night at an exhibition at The Mound, Edinburgh. Darren Seymour, 22, Jennifer Tocher, 19 and Kevin Cameron, 21 who all study at Gray's School of Art will go head to head with students from across the UK in a bid to have their designs used in a high profile national advertising campaign for Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance.

Now in its fourth year, Art of Nurture encourages students to creatively express Commercial Finance's core values of flexibility and support.

This year sees The Prince's Trust, a life changing charity for disadvantaged young people, involved with the competition, along with Arts & Business, the national charity dedicated to encouraging new and sustainable arts and business relationships.

Jennifer and Kevin, originally from Aberdeen and Darren from Luton, will have their work shown at the Saatchi Gallery, London at the national final on 13 April. Judged by top industry experts, the panel will include artist and illustrator Brian Grimwood who has worked on posters and advertising campaigns all over the world.

In addition to seeing their work used in a campaign, the three national winners will also be given the opportunity to take paid work placements.

Simon Woodcock, regional director for Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance in Scotland said: "The Art of Nurture" competition always attracts a very high quality of entries and this year is no exception. Some 500 entries were put forward from students at over 50 art colleges across the UK and our judges faced a tough decision in choosing Darren, Jennifer and Kevin, so it is testament to the quality of their work that they are now going through to the national final.

"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. Through Lloyds TSB Commercial Finances' advertising campaign the winners will be able to showcase their work to the business world."

The Scotland submissions were judged by a panel including president of the Royal Scottish Academy, Professor Bill Scott, Art and Business regional director Carol Taylor and Alexander Hamilton, a local artist who focuses on botany and ecology.

Kevin 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."

A limited edition boxed set of art by previous winners has been available to buy at the event and the last three national winners have donated their winning artwork for a silent auction to be held at the national final at the Saatchi Gallery, with all proceeds going to the Prince's Charities.

For more information about the competition, go to www.artofnurture.co.uk.

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