The inaugural Cafe Art Competition Exhibition opened at the Hampstead School of Art (HSoA) last night with a short award ceremony. See photos from the opening here (Facebook) While we have had many exhibitions since our first one in the Guardian Building in August 2012, this is the first time we have awarded prizes. The exhibition can be seen in the HSoA's new building. The connection to the school began a few years ago (the first exhibition was in January 2015) and Cafe Art is very appreciative of the support from the school, especially the principal Isabel Langtry who was one of the judges for the contest who chose the top three prizes. The other two judges were Jimmy Lek from ArtGemini Prizeand art therapist and long-term Cafe Art volunteer Simon Richardson. The HSoA chose another three prizes (listed below). Twenty one paintings are in the exhibition, (having been selected from 80 entries) and are on display until Friday 13 October. See a selection of the images here (Facebook) The three main cash prizes were funded by the Spitalfields Market vendors of the MyLondon calendar. Last year when the calendar had to be reprinted in early December, the vendors agreed to contribute 25 pence from each calendar sale they made, and this raised more than £1,000 for the prize money. The judges chose three main prizes, each winning £200 for themselves and £100 for a charity of their choice: The Figurative prize went to Zin Vaitiekunas, an independent artist but formerly from Kids' Company. The Self Portrait prize went to Michael Crosswaite from 240 Project. The Abstract prize went to Aaron Little from Crisis. The HSoA prize winners were: Mateus (Abstract Prize) James Gray (Special award of free tuition at HSoA) Justin (Principal's Prize) May thanks to Camden New Journaland Ham & High for running a feature in their papers :)
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