Sovereign art competition judged by Christian Hook open for entries

The Sovereign Art Foundation Students Prize Gibraltar, which will be judged by Christian Hook, is currently open for entries with the deadline on October 22.

Sovereign first opened in Gibraltar in 1987 where it now employs over 150 staff and has 23 offices globally.

Sovereign said they are thrilled to bring the Sovereign Art Foundation (SAF) to Gibraltar this autumn with the inaugural edition of the Sovereign Art Foundation Students Prize, Gibraltar, presented by Hassans International Law Firm Limited.

This annual award will celebrate the talent and quality of artworks of 11-18-year-old students in Gibraltar, whilst highlighting the importance of art in the education system and rewarding secondary educational institutions art programmes for nurturing this talent.

Should a student not be in mainstream education but wish to enter, they are very welcome to, and can contact SAF Gibraltar.

SAF runs to Student Prizes around the world and Gibraltar is the latest addition to the portfolio.

The winners of the Judges and Public Gibraltar prizes will be automatically entered into the annual SAF Global Students Prize, showcasing their talent on an international stage and facilitating cultural exchange and dialogue.
Students can submit their artworks to the competition’s online platform by 22 October. 

The 20 shortlisted artworks will be displayed in Gibraltar in the Finalists’ Exhibition at the Fine Arts Gallery, Casemates: December 6 to 11, and John Mackintosh Hall: December 13 to 17.

The exhibition will then tour in Gibraltar, venues include St Bernard’s Hospital and Hassans’ offices.

In line with SAF’s objectives, there will be a charitable, not-for-profit funding element as SAF Gibraltar will give back to the community by donating a portion of funds raised to local not-for-profit art initiatives, which work with children and assist them in accessing enrichment from the arts.

Artworks or prints of the final 20 shortlisted as well as possibly digital assets of their work in the form of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) will then be sold, at the agreement of each student.

Sale proceeds and fundraising income will split equally between the student and the local not-for-profit programmes.
The overall winner of The Sovereign Art Foundation Students Prize, Gibraltar 2021 will be determined by the judging panel comprising Gibraltarian contemporary artist Christian Hook, Gallerist and Curator Magda Bellotti, Arts and Heritage professor Gabriela Giménez, and Howard Bilton, Founder and Chairman of SAF.

There will be four prizes awarded to four different students.

The winner of the Judge’s Prize will be awarded a trophy and £800, and their school art department will receive £2,000.

Visitors and online viewers will be invited to vote for the Public Vote Prize, the winner of which will receive a trophy and £400, and £1,000 for their school.

The Hassans Prize will award £300 to both the student and their school and the Arts Society Gibraltar will award a £250 prize for a student aged 11-14.

SAF said support for the arts is more important now than ever and the Sovereign Art Foundation Gibraltar are grateful to have generous backing from: Hassans International Law Firm Limited as gold sponsor; Simmons Gainsford and Image Graphics as silver sponsors and bronze supporters: Brooks MacDonald, Silver Key, LGT Vestra, Schroders and the Ministry for Culture, Gibraltar.

SAF funding this year will go to the Youth Service’s Gibraltar Youth Production Team (GYPT), a cultural art project developing photography, filming and editing skills, through hands-on experience.

Previously young people have created a diverse range of issue-based videos and photography around mental health, dyslexia, anti-bullying and suicide awareness, drawing attention to issues that are close to them.

The funding will purchase much needed equipment including a ceiling track system, lighting and a camera, which will be showcased and used throughout a six-week photography and lighting workshop for their members.

SAF will also use funds raised to support The Artful Remedy, an art therapist who will use the resource to offer creative and personal development workshops for children who most need them.

It will supply them with a space and all the art materials to teach and develop creative life skills.

“The SAF Students Prizes encourage art and creativity and raise money for local charities,” Howard Bilton, Founder and Chairman of The Sovereign Art Foundation said.

“The Prizes have gained huge interest from students around the world, and we are excited to be able to give students in Gibraltar this platform and opportunity.”

To find out more about the Prize and how to enter please visit: www.sovereignartfoundation.com/art-prizes/student-art-prize/gibraltar

All enquiries could be emailed to: SophieB@sovereignartfoundation.com

Find out more on Facebook: The SAF Students Prize, Gibraltar (@SAFSPGibraltar), or Instagram: @safstudentsprize or @sovereignartfoundation