An 18-year-old artist has won a top award for capturing a heartfelt moment with friends.
Luca Frankland was named winner of the Isle of Wight Young Artist Award 2025 for his acrylic painting, which reflects a personal memory with friends.
Judges praised the piece for its emotional depth and the way it captured a sense of connection and place.
Luca, of Ventnor, said: “I thought it would be really cool to get a wider opinion on what people think of my work.
“I really enjoyed talking about it with people that appreciated it which was really nice.”
The Isle of Wight Young Artist Award exhibition is currently open at Quay Arts and runs until Saturday, November 1.
Held in the Clayden Gallery, the exhibition is open daily from 10am to 4pm and showcases work from young artists aged 14 to 25.
This is the fourth year of the award, which was launched by Brave Island in 2022 to give young creatives a platform to display their work outside of educational settings.
For many, it marks their first experience exhibiting in a professional gallery.
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Luca accepting his award.(Image: Julian Winslow)
Luca received an acrylic award created by KReative Studios.
Judges described his piece as a painting that “captures quiet, everyday moments” and “evokes a moment of connection to those close to us, and connection to the place we make these memories.”
Two works were also highly commended by the judging panel.
Alfie Barnes, 21, was recognised for his photography exploring themes of belonging, temporality, and our relationship with the landscape.
Seventeen-year-old Donna Sansom was praised for her textile piece, crafted from repurposed denim jeans glued onto card.
Brave Island, the organiser of the award, is an online platform developed by Ventnor Exchange to offer free creative opportunities to young people on the Isle of Wight.
Young people aged 14 to 25 can sign up for free on the Brave Island website.
The platform advertises new opportunities every week, including mentoring, training, paid work and creative commissions.
The Isle of Wight Young Artist Award aims to spotlight emerging talent and encourage artistic growth in a supportive environment.