FROM ceramics and embroidery to watercolours and oil painting, the work of some of Scotland's best young artists will go on display at a new exhibition in the Scottish Parliament today.
The event, which will showcase the best artistic work submitted by school pupils studying for the 2008 Higher art and design award, is the first of a series to be staged by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) at three venues in Edinburgh and
Glasgow. In total, some 180 creative works have been selected for display – these include many accomplished paintings, some intricately sewn hats and dresses, as well as quirky ceramic teapots and a variety of sculpture.
The vast majority of featured artists are aged between 16 and 18 and come from schools right across Scotland.
Dr Janet Brown, the SQA's chief executive, said: "The works of art that have been selected are not being displayed simply because they were awarded top marks but because they show the quality, depth and the breathtaking imagination and creativity of Scotland's young artists.
"Of course, we would like to have included many more, but those on display show the quite exceptional levels of work being produced by students, with support from their teachers, the length and breadth of Scotland. We thank them all for their hard work over the past year."
The Holyrood exhibition will run until 6 November, before being transferred to the People's Palace in Glasgow, where it will be on show from 1 December until 16 January. The work will return to the capital for an exhibition at the National Gallery from 22 January to 19 March. At this stage, the display will be boosted by exhibits from the SQA's Advanced Higher course.
Speaking ahead of the opening, Alex Fergusson, MSP, the Presiding Officer at Holyrood, said: "I am delighted to be welcoming the SQA exhibition for the first time to the Scottish Parliament.
"This exhibition provides a snapshot of Scotland's young artistic talent and I would encourage the public to visit Holyrood to view the exhibition and support the students.
"The parliament has also organised an exciting programme of educational visits for young people and teachers to run alongside the exhibition, and I hope schools will take the opportunity to visit and learn more about the Scottish Parliament."
The event is supported by the Scottish Government as well as the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework and the Educational Institute of Scotland.
It has received commercial sponsorship from the publisher Leckie & Leckie and Sterling Furniture.
•
www.sqa.org.uk/art2008The full article contains 437 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
