Avonbourne College students Claudia Painter, 15, and Ysabella Pegorete, 14,
Two Bournemouth students were selected from thousands to have their artwork exhibited in London by the Royal Society of British Arts (RSA).
They were amongst the few dozen selected by art critiques to have their work displayed in The Mall Galleries as part of the National Students Art Exhibition.
Claudia entered a striking painting of Marmite, inspired by the work of Andy Warhol.
And Ysabella was inspired by her home town with an evoking photograph of Bournemouth’s famous balloon.
Both girls were invited to London to view their work on display and hear an opening speech from Henry Olonga – singer, artist, photographer and former Zimbabwean test cricketer.
In total, the school entered 15 pieces of work and the other 13 were all rated as highly commended by the judges.
Avonbourne’s head of art, Jane Davies, said: “This is the first time the school has entered work into this competition and we were utterly delighted for the girls that their work was selected to be viewed in such a prestigious setting.
“Their achievement is the more impressive because most of the work selected by the judges was created by much older students. Thousands of students enter this competition and it really is quite something to have your work chosen for display.”
Year 10 student Claudia spent a staggering 25 hours creating her Andy Warhol inspired painting of Marmite.
She said: “I was very surprised that my work was chosen – and very happy. We had a fantastic time in London and it was amazing to see my painting on display.”
And keen photographer Ysabella never imagined that her stroll through Bournemouth’s Lower Gardens would lead to her having her work displayed in London.
“I took a photo of the balloon because I think it is very attractive. A lot of people can see it and it’s very colourful,” Ysabella recalled.
“I also thought it would nice to take a picture of something that many people in Bournemouth know.
“Now my photo has been on display in London – I still really can’t quite believe it.”
