A ‘clean slate’ to engage with young artists

Avon and Somerset Constabulary has put out a call for all budding painters, potters, sculptors, aerosol artists, photographers, illustrators and installation artists to enter a regional art competition.

The Clean Slate Art Competition is open to all young artists aged 13 to 19 years across Bristol, Bath, South Gloucestershire and Somerset.

Run by the constabulary, the competition will be split into two age categories and aims to encourage young people to get creative and enter their artwork into five exhibitions being held across the force area.

At each exhibition, a panel of judges will select the best of the West’s young talent, whose work will then be shown in a month-long exhibition at this year’s Royal West of England Academy in Bristol from July 2-29.

Chief Constable Colin Port said: “Young people are our future and, as in previous years with our Live and Unsigned music events, I am keen to seize any opportunity that helps us continue to strengthen our relationship with them and allows them to promote and develop their talents. 

“I am enormously grateful to the Royal West of England Academy and The Mall, Cribbs Causeway which share our belief in young people. It is important that young people know we will celebrate their successes, be there to support them when they need us, provide guidance to aid them in making positive life choices and that we are absolutely committed to ensuring their safety and welfare.

“Throughout Live and Unsigned, I was overwhelmed by the talent on show and the commitment and dedication of the young bands to their music. This year, it is an opportunity to demonstrate the talents of young people through a different medium. I am looking forward to the exhibitions.”

During the final exhibition, a winner from each medium and age group will be selected, together with one overall winner. Prizes including art materials, equipment, cameras and vouchers will be provided by John Lewis.

Throughout the competition other workshops and activities will also be taking place to promote local talent, in addition to live art events taking place at the Royal West of England Academy during July.

Trystan Hawkins, director of the Royal West of England Academy, added: “We are delighted to be working with Avon and Somerset Constabulary on the Clean Slate art project. One of our priorities is to improve our engagement with young people and I feel this competition will offer us the opportunity to do just that, making art accessible and hopefully bringing more young people in to the Academy at the same time.

“I hope this competition inspires both young artists who are already beginning to explore their talent and those who so far have had limited experience of the art world. It is a good forum in which to get creative, try new things and take advantage of the opportunity to exhibit their work.”