Derby Launches Massive Art Prize

One of the UK’s largest art awards, only second to the Turner Prize and the Artis Mundi Prize, is due to launch on Wednesday 15th October at Melbourne Hall.

The winner of the sixth Jonathan Vickers Fine Art Award is Kerri Pratt, a University of Derby graduate who achieved a first class honours in BA (Hons) Fine Art three years ago.

The biennial award is open to emerging painters in the UK and is fast becoming one of the country’s most coveted, prestigious and nationally-recognised art awards. The sixth award theme is ‘sense of place’ and a focus on ‘our treasure homes’ which Derbyshire is so strongly associated with. As the winner, Kerri will receive a nine-month residency, use of a studio, a bursary of £18,000, a contribution to the cost of materials and ongoing support and mentoring from the University of Derby’s College of Arts.

Across Kerri’s nine months she will produce a portfolio of new work for solo exhibitions at Derby Museum and Art Gallery as well as the University of Derby. She will also contribute five days of teaching at the University as well as lead on a series of educational workshops in the community, supported by funding from Rolls-Royce plc.

Those wishing to attend the launch event at Melbourne Hall will need to contact Rachael Grime, Chief Executive of Derbyshire Community Foundation at rachael@foundationderbyshire.org or by calling (01773) 514851.