Pupils from two Ferndown schools have taken first prizes in Bournemouth & Poole College’s 2022 Dorset Arts Prize competition.

Ferndown First School won the primary school category, with St George’s CE VA Primary School, Langton Matravers taking second place.

Ferndown Middle School won the secondary school category and Broadstone Middle School was second.

In the individual artists category – years 10 and 11 – first place went to Emily Smith and second place to Maddie Smith, both from Parkstone Grammar School. In third place was Canford School pupil Amelia Frost.

Individual artists category – years 12 and 13 – saw Imola Tantrum take first place and Neil Simmons, second place (both from Bournemouth and Poole College) and Amelia Hamilton third place.

Individual artists in the over 19 category were: 1, Nicole Purdie, 2, Arlen D’Alessio Villarroel and 3, Aaron Howorth.

The winners were revealed at a public art exhibition hosted in The Gallery Upstairs at Upton Country Park, where the winning artworks were on display.

This was the ninth year of the college-run competition, which is supported by the Dorset Community Foundation. It encourages artists of all ages to get creative by exploring a theme to produce artwork in any medium. The theme for this year’s competition was ‘Messages’.

Phil Sayles, principal of Bournemouth & Poole College, said: “The Dorset Art Prize has become an established event, with many looking forward to entering. The creativity in every entry is incredible, and we’re delighted to be able to offer a platform that highlights the talent of artists of all ages across Dorset. We’d like to congratulate our winners and thank everyone who dedicated time to produce artwork and enter.”