Alex Hedworth, Sunderland University, Amy Weatherill, Hartlepool College of Further Education, Right Josie Sexton, Cleveland College of Art & Design.
Three students studying arts in the North East of England have all secured places in the national final of Art of Nurture, a prestigious national art competition run by Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance.
Josie Sexton, 17, who studies at the Cleveland College of Art and Design, together with Amy Weatherill, 19, who studies at Hartlepool College of Further Education, and Alex Hedworth, 23, who studies at Sunderland University, were announced as the three North East finalists at an exhibition at Leeds Art Gallery.
Josie, Amy and Alex will now 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.
Their work will be 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.
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.
The North East submissions were judged by a panel including gallery curator Nigel Walsh, Richard Brown, Regional Director of Arts & Business and Ashley Jackson, one of the country's leading and most successful landscape watercolourists.
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.
Click here for more information about Art of Nurture