Award-winning artists

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Colleague and students win Bath Society of Artists awards

Congratulations are in order for Bath Spa University’s Clare, Mollie and Jenna as their works of art have officially been classed as award-winning!

Clare Day, ceramicist and art shop assistant at Locksbrook campus, has been named as the overall winner of the Bath Society of Artists Prize for her ceramic installation, ‘100 Trees, Sketches in Clay’.

Joining Clare in her celebrations are two third year Bath Spa University BA (Hons) Fine Art students; Mollie Pearce who has been named winner of the Young Artists Prize with her linocut, ‘Lulworth’s Hut’, and Jenna Axtell, winner of the Wendy Batt Young Artists Printmakers Prize with her etching, ‘Return to the Hay Wain 2021’.

The awards are a big date in the diary for Bath's art community and the winners’ success is testament to the hard work, creativity and talent they have nurtured at Bath Spa.

Speaking about her win, Mollie said:

“I am so honoured to have been given this award, it is my first artist award and the experience and support has been incredible. It was made even better sharing the experience with my close friend Jenna, and Clare who is always so supportive and interested in us students at university.”

You can find more of Mollie’s work on her Instagram @molliepearceart.

Jenna’s print represents her visit to Flatford Mill on the 200-year anniversary of John Constable’s ‘The Hay Wain’. Expressing her delight at winning, she said:

“It is an honour to have received this award, printmaking is an essential part of my practice, and to have it recognised is really exciting. This has been my first experience being selected for an exhibition, alongside my course mate Mollie and Clare from the Locksbrook shop has brought us together.”

You can find more of Jenna’s work on her Instagram @jennaaxtell_art.

Clare’s work came out of the first lockdown, when she made a tree each day as a routine in uncertain times. The piece is a reflection of many things, including being stronger together, especially over environmental concerns. 

Talking about her achievement, Clare said:

"It feels wonderful to have won this prize alongside two of our brilliant students, Mollie and Jenna. The 'alongsideness' is what I love most about working at the Locksbrook Shop, talking with the students about their practice".

More of Clare's work can be seen on her Instagram @claredayceramics.

All winners’ works of art can be seen at the Victoria Art Gallery from now until 24 June, as part of the Annual Open Exhibition.

Image credit for Clare Day’s work: Photo by John Tayor.