The awards ceremony for the Summer Exhibition at CCA Galleries was not one to miss. Artists from all over the island flocked to the venue, to celebrate the magnificent artwork spreading across three floors. From sculptures, to paintings, to illustrations – CCA hosted it all. Out of the many pieces submitted, only a third made it into the gallery, selected by a prize panel of judges.
The exhibition has quickly become a highlight of the Jersey art scene, attracting both locals and visitors with its dynamic showcase of talent. It is modelled after the renowned Royal Academy event in London, and provides local artists with a prestigious platform to elevate their careers. Both emerging talents and professional artists submitted their work, causing a plethora of styles to be displayed on CCA’s walls.
The annual event is sponsored this year by RBC, Hawk and BCR Law. Prizes were awarded by the first, alongside contributors Gallery Magazine and Rural Magazine. The National Trust for Jersey also co-sponsor an award. The main prize was for the best emerging artist, which for the first time ever featured two winners. Both Paige Le Geyt (above) and Eleanor Nugent (below) walked away with the prize, meaning together they’ll deck out CCA in a joint exhibition. The judges, in awe of the communication between the artists’ work, couldn’t extract one winner from the two. Both evoked a sense of stillness and silence, through the flurry of white textures that characterise their pieces. Paige and Eleanor’s exhibition will be held later this year, promising an ethereal environment of soft, angelic hues.
The winner of Rural’s prize was Louise Ramsay, for her serene painting of Jersey’s agricultural landscape. Replicating the scenes of the coast land in St Mary, the piece incorporated a breathtaking array of colour and light. Louise managed to communicate the beauty of Jersey’s natural environment in an inspiring and uplifting manner, making it an irresistible piece for the agricultural magazine.
The winner of Gallery’s Illustration and Graphic Design prize was Mick Humpage for his piece on Milan. Featuring striking architectural elements against bold bright colours, his work balanced vibrancy with style in an eclectic set of shapes. Mick perfectly communicated the buzz of a creative city, in his artwork composed of acrylic paint and collage.
If you’re silently kicking yourself for missing the exhibition, make sure to catch it next year when it returns in summer. Submissions are open to everyone, whether you’re a well-established artist or a start-up landscape photographer. The eighth edition of the Jersey Summer Exhibition boasted the highest quality and range it has seen thus far. We’re looking forward to seeing the curation that CCA put out for the ninth.
