Artworks produced by winners of last year’s Fife Art Exhibition were presented to NHS Fife for display in their facilities in 2019 and there is a Benarty creation amongst them.

For the first time, the 2018 competition added a new youth category and the first winner of this new section was Erin Kinninmouth from Balwearie High School.

Sponsored by Shell UK, the competition is open to all amateur artists living in Fife and has been celebrated as a foot in the door to the art world for the likes of Jack Vettriano, Celie Byrne and the late Ian Wilkie.

Three independent judges selected six winning works which were then purchased by Shell and donated for display in NHS facilities throughout the region. In addition, each winner was awarded £200 and the local winner was Elizabeth McMahon.

The six winners were: Erin Kinninmonth (Balwearie High School, Kirkcaldy); Ingrid Mayes (Dalgety Bay); Andrea McMillan (Auchtermuchty) ; Jonathan Brown (Glenrothes); Elizabeth McMahon (Ballingry) and Margaret Lappin (Dunfermline, not in photo).

The handover lunch was attended by Teresa Waddington, Plant Manager at Shell's Mossmorran NGL plant, Cowdenbeath woman Tricia Marwick, chairperson, NHS Fife; and Michelle Sweeney, Director of Creative Development, ONFife Cultural Trust.

Teresa Waddington, said: “I was very impressed with the energy of this creative community.

"The quality of the artwork on display was superb and I noted that many participants had gone above and beyond in taking creative risks to make inspirational and dynamic pieces.”

Michelle Sweeney said: “ONFife Cultural Trust is delighted to have introduced a new youth category this year which has generated a great response. We were delighted to announce Erin Kinninmonth from Balwearie High School as the first winner.”

The 2018 independent judging panel consisted of: Amy McNeill, Senior Artworker at Victoria Hospice, Kirkcaldy; and Jane Bullivant, new graduate artist and artist-in-residence at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art.

The next round of the Fife Art Exhibition is scheduled to take place in Lochgelly Centre from the beginning of October until late November 2019. Entry forms will be available from all Fife Cultural Trust venues from the beginning of May 2019.

Our picture shows Tricia Marwick (NHS Fife); Erin Kinninmonth (Balwearie High School); Ingrid Mayes; Teresa Waddington (Shell FNGL Plant Manager); Andrea McMillan; Jonathan Brown; Elizabeth McMahon and Michelle Sweeney (Director of Creative Development).