People Show 2008

Press Release:

The winners have been announced for The People Show – the open art competition sponsored by creative communications agency, Cravens – after judges deliberated over 350 entries submitted by regionally-based professional and amateur artists.

Winning the coveted first prize is Tynedale-based artist and Solution Group Creative Director, Peter McGlynn, with Berwick-based artist Brita Granstrom coming a close second. The student prize went to Stockton-based Carly Rybak, whilst the photography prize was awarded to Newcastle’s Paul Spillett.

Chris Hill, Chairman of Cravens said: “We created The People Show in conjunction with the University Gallery to celebrate the diverse range of creative talent working in the region. This year’s entries reinforced the fact that the North East is home to some incredibly gifted artists. The winners were chosen for their imaginative stand out and originality of ideas.”

Gallery Director, Mara-Helen Wood added: “Every year gets more exciting for us at the Gallery as each exhibition unveils more talent that as a region we should be immensely proud of. I am looking forward to opening the doors to the public on Friday (1st August) and definitely anticipate that visitors will be impressed with the striking range of work on offer.”

Photography winner, Paul Spillett said: “My background is in commercial photography so it’s an extra special feeling to win this art-based competition. This was my first attempt at this prize and was really a last minute entry so when I received the call to tell me I’d won I was amazed. The image itself owes a lot to the quality of light and the striking colours as much to the old gentleman. The title “Too Late” refers to the idea that at his stage in life it’s too late for regrets.”

The People Show, now in its 9th year, has been designed to foster the region’s creative talent through its high profile exhibition at the University Gallery and range of prizes on offer for winning artists. This year’s competition challenged professional and amateur artists throughout the region to ‘Make Someone a Work of Art’ - encouraging submissions in any medium – from sculpture to ceramics, paint to print and film to photography.

The judging panel consisted of: art critic, William Feaver; art critic, Marcus Price; professional artist, Dale Atkinson, The Journal’s Tamzin Lewis; and from Cravens, Chairman, Chris Hill and Senior Art Director, Gavin Uren.
 
Selected and winning works will be unveiled to the public from 1st August – 12th September. The University Gallery is open Monday to Thursday 10am-5pm, Friday and Saturday 10am-4pm. Admission is free. For further information click here .