The Cooper Prize 2021 art competition winners announced
SOUTH Yorkshire artists have been celebrated with a virtual awards ceremony to announce the first winners of The Cooper Prize.
Formerly known as South Yorkshire Open Art Competition, it has been renamed and is now run via Barnsley’s own Cooper Gallery.
The competition - which attracted more than 380 entries - celebrates artists of all ages who were born, live or work in the county.
Visitors will be able to view the artwork in person when the gallery reopens its doors, following Governments guidelines, on Monday, May 17.
WATCH: The Cooper Prize 2021 awards ceremony was held online and can now be viewed n demand - CLICK HERE.
Prizes included £1,000 in cash, sponsored by the Cooper Trustees, a solo exhibition, inclusion in the Cooper Prize exhibition, space in the recently refurbished Cooper Cottage artist studios and vouchers to spend on artists materials.
Winners of various categories were::
Cooper Prize Winner - Poseidon by Kieran Ingram
Highly Commended - Simply Savoy by Rachel Lewis
Commended – Badger by Matt Butt
Sadler Award Winner - My Grandad by Georgina Oldknow
Highly Commended – Lonely in a Crowd by Jack Green
Commended – Barnabas by Jessica Brown
Fox Gift Winner - Moonlight by Charlie Wilding
Highly Commended – Girl in Glasses by Sophie Grace Roberts
Commended – The Characters by Harry Palmer
Barnsley College Special Award - My Grandad by Georgina Oldknow
The Gallery worked collaboratively with Barnsley College throughout the process to engage with young people across the borough and beyond.
This will be highlighted in the exhibition which will showcase new, emerging, local talent and hopefully be a springboard for future success. There have also been entries from Barnsley Academy students who have taken part in the competition for the first time and used their time in lockdown to create artwork.
Coun Tim Cheetham, Cabinet Spokesperson for Place (Regeneration and Culture) said: “We are absolutely delighted by the volume and quality of entries to the competition and it has made it an extremely difficult job for the judges in shortlisting winners.
"The Cooper Gallery has always been a supporter of local artists and we are pleased we are able to put a spotlight on South Yorkshire talent in this way. Although restrictions mean the Gallery will be closed until Monday, May 17, people can still experience the exhibition digitally from the comfort of their home and visit in person when it is safe to do so.”
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