A contemporary artist has taken first place at this year’s Emerging Artist Award staged by a North Yorkshire arts foundation.
Lou Hazelwood was awarded the top prize at an exhibition, hosted by the Scott Creative Arts Foundation (SCAF), on York Road, near Thirsk.
Hazelwood’s photographic print, The Circle is Not, impressed judges with its ‘bold imagery and experimental approach to analogue film’.
Layla Jabbari (Image: Anthony Chappel-Ross)
Ian Hinley took second place for his oil painting A View Of Saturn, which explores the character of Hull’s older architecture.
Third place went to Layla Jabbari for her collograph tetrapak print and watercolour piece The Last Supper, praised for its delicate materials and reflection on the passage of time.
The awards were announced during a private view and prize-giving ceremony on July 24.
Winners of the 2025 EAA, from left, Ian Hinley, Lou Hazelwood and Layla Jabbari (Image: Anthony Chappel-Ross)
Now underway, the Emerging Artist Award exhibition runs until September 13 and features work from all finalists.
This year’s theme is Time.
Finalists include Archie Brooks, Daisy Age Art, Ian Hinley, Julie Bancroft, Laura Lee, Layla Jabbari, Lou Hazelwood, Mary-Ann Stevens, Megan Owenson and Pennie Metcalfe (PenOfM).
Ian Hinley (Image: Anthony Chappel-Ross)
The EAA supports early-career visual artists in Yorkshire who have yet to gain recognition in commercial galleries.
It also helps artists reach new audiences, buyers, and critics.
The exhibition is curated by Lydia Poole, Jane Young, and SCAF artistic director Sue Armstrong.
The public can view the exhibition on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10am to 4pm.
Winners with Lydia Poole, SCAF Curator left and Sue Armstrong, SCAF Artistic Director righ (Image: Anthony Chappel-Ross)
Entry is free.
The exhibition officially opens to the public on August 17 with a community open day in partnership with the Living Landscape Project garden.
Visitors will be able to meet the alpacas whose compost helps sustain the garden.
Sculptures by 2024 EAA finalist Mouse (@wymouseartist) will be on display in the garden.
A free hourly shuttle service from Thirsk Market Place to the SCAF site on York Road is being provided by Heck!.
A street food truck will also be on site offering refreshments.
Visitors can also attend free artist talks in the garden on August 24, 25, and 31 from 2.30pm to 3.30pm.
The sessions offer a chance to hear directly from the artists about their creative process and inspiration.
The exhibition is supported by Studio YCS, with community sponsorship from Heck!.
For more information, visit scafemergingartist.co.uk or follow the Scott Creative Arts Foundation on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn.