Molly Matcham wins Historic Quarter Arts Festival prize

Molly Matcham was awarded the photography prize, sponsored by Hayward Tod and Digital Express, and was delighted with her win.

“It has been a great experience to be part of this festival, thank you for giving me the chance to exhibit alongside such talented artists,” she said.

The third annual festival was a great success, with hundreds of visitors enjoying the art at a central exhibition and in displays around Historic Quarter businesses including Northern Vacuums and Armatos.

Visitors voted for Pete Pieri’s Stanwix Bank as the winner of the People’s Choice award, which was sponsored by Black Box Architects.

Pete was delighted to hear that he had won, “This is fantastic news and has totally made my day,” he said.

The judges were impressed with the quality of work on display and enjoyed looking round the exhibition and art trail.

Judges (left to right) Chris Day, Sarah Bonner, Melanie Gardner, Malcolm Wilson, Seren Shaw (Image: INTROPR)

They included Dr Sarah Bonner, Principal Lecturer at the University of Cumbria, Melanie Gardner, Keeper of fine and decorative art at Tullie, Chris Day and Malcolm Wilson of Black Box Architects and Seren Shaw of StArt, who also curated the exhibition.

Other acclaimed winners were Lily Greenwood for the Black Box Mixed Media Prize, Jonathan Paisley for the Bookends Illustration Prize, Abigail Kilfedder for the Sculpture House Hair Textiles Prize, and Carol McDermott for the Amato’s Painting Prize.

Each artist brilliantly showcased celebrated, local points of interest, including the Civic Centre, the Abbey Gatehouse, and the alluring Carlisle Cathedral ceiling.