Youngsters show their artwork

PAINTING A PORTRAIT OF YOUTH

Budding Banksys and potential Picassos have been putting paintbrush to canvas for a striking new exhibition at Arts Centre Washington.

The annual Sunderland Youth Arts Exhibition 2017, which forms part of the city’s Young Achievers Awards, has gone on display at the Fatfield venue until April 8.

Young people aged 11 to 20 from the Sunderland and Washington area were invited to submit their artwork to be displayed in the exhibition.

This year the arts centre received more than 140 entries including paintings, drawings, sculptures, and photography from schools, youth groups and individuals from all over the city.

A special preview of the exhibition was held at Arts Centre Washington, when the winners were announced by the Honorary Aldermen of the City of Sunderland, Mr Mark Greenfield.

The exhibition was judged by an independent panel, which included artists Sophie Lisa Beresford and Barrie West.

There were two categories 11-14 years and 15-20 years and five winners were announced in each. Each winner will be recognised at this year’s Young Achievers awards ceremony at the Stadium of Light and will receive a trophy

Sunderland City Council Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services, Coun Louise Farthing said: “Our city has some very talented and creative young people, and this annual exhibition provides a fantastic opportunity to showcase a range of their work.

“My congratulations not only to the winners but also to all those who took part and made the judges’ decisions even more difficult this year, given the high quality of all the entries.

“The Youth Arts Exhibition is also a reminder to us that this year’s Young AchieversAwardswillbeannounced