A pupil from a London independent school has won the first national Art Bytes competition.
Fourteen-year-old Mila Haromo, a student at Southbank International School, was victorious in the secondary-age category of a competition that saw more than 1,500 pieces of artwork submitted from almost 100 schools.
The judging process involved a team of industry professionals choosing their three favourite works from each school, before throwing things over to a public vote to select the winners from each school.
Those entries can still be seen exhibited in a virtual gallery, from which the judges selected the regional and national winners.
Art Bytes partnered with cultural venues across the country to hold celebratory events for students, teachers and families of the regional winners, with Mila’s artwork – ‘Hearts and Roses’ – exhibited at Camden Art Centre in London.
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Describing her win as a “huge honour,” Mila said: “Art and creativity plays such an important role in my life and is greatly encouraged at Southbank International School, where we are given both the freedom and the support to achieve our goals. I’m so happy to have been recognised for my work.”
Marlene Wylie, president elect of the National Society for Education in Art and Design, was one of the panel of judges.
“Wow! What an achievement,” she said. “I remember vividly my experience of taking part in competitions at school and the important part it played in receiving recognition for something I was passionate about.
“Opportunities like this allow young people to develop self-esteem, confidence and a sense of achievement. Delighted to be involved in such important work!”
