Bedford’s youngest artists honoured with virtual art awards

The Harpur Trust live streams event from ‘secret studio’ beneath The Higgins
By Clare Turner
Published 9th Oct 2020, 13:31 BST
Updated 9th Oct 2020, 13:34 BST
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Students from all over Bedford tuned in to discover who the winner of Harpur Trust’s 2020 Schools’ Art Competition was.

Due to the pandemic, the event had to be live streamed from a ‘secret studio’ beneath The Higgins Bedford.

Prizes were announced and the half hour show featured virtual interviews with artists, teachers, judges and members of The Harpur Trust - and also included a ‘Tony Hart’ style gallery showcasing examples of work from all participating schools.

Kings Oak Primary pupil Fatoumata won first prize in the four to seven year categoryKings Oak Primary pupil Fatoumata won first prize in the four to seven year category
Kings Oak Primary pupil Fatoumata won first prize in the four to seven year category

Prize-winning schools include Wixams Academy, Wootton Academy, Mark Rutherford School, Greys Education Centre, Grange Academy, Bedford Girls’ School, Castle Newnham School, Sheerhatch Primary, St James’ VA Primary, Putnoe Primary, King’s Oak Primary, Edith Cavell Primary and Renhold Primary.

Rhiannon at Greys Education Centre won first prize in the age 14-16 year category and Kings Oak Primary pupil Fatoumata, won first prize in the four to seven year category.

Sarah Elam, who manages the project, said: “The competition usually ends with an exhibition at The Higgins Bedford but the pandemic meant we had to find a new way to give pupils the accolade they deserved so we came up with the idea of a virtual awards ceremony."

View the work and the awards video here