RUTHIN Town Council has played its part in supporting artists.

Catrin Jones from Llanwnnen, Ceredigion was announced as chief artist of the Denbighshire Urdd Eisteddfod, with Nel Thomas, from Cardiff, being named the winner of the art, design and technology medal.

Catrin Jones receives the festival’s young artist scholarship, a prize of £2,000 thanks to the generosity of the late Dr Dewi Davies and his family, for the most promising work from an individual aged between Year 10 and 25 years of age.

The art, design and technology medal is awarded to a young person between Year 10 and under 19 years of age and has been given by community newspaper Papur Bro y Bigwrn.

Read more: Talented writer crowned Chief Prose Writer at 2022 Denbighshire Urdd Eisteddfod

The scholarship was sponsored by Ruthin Town Council.

Catrin is a pupil at Ysgol Bro Pedr and has just completed her A-Level exams in art, history and religious studies.

She hopes to continue developing her skills by following an art foundation course, followed by a degree.

Catrin entered her A-level course work for the competition, choosing to focus on the theme ‘static’ which combines her interest in various subjects, such as women’s rights and mental health.

The young artist was eager to showcase these subjects by creating unusual and dark pieces to highlight the negative aspects of the subjects.

She said: “I’ve always enjoyed art.

"My interest increased during the covid period and as a result of choosing to study the subject for my GCSE.

"I’ll be using the money to buy materials – especially as art materials are so expensive!

"I’ll also use the money to travel to different cities to get inspiration for other exhibitions in the future.”

The adjudicators for the competition were Anna Pritchard and Ffion Pritchard.

Read more: Hugely successful Denbigh Urdd Eisteddfod is applauded

In their adjudication, they said: “The standard of the work across the competition was extremely high and the work was diverse and varied.

"The winner showed mature skills and a variety within the work across a number of different mediums.

"The work creates elements of shock and deals with subjects which are current and strong talking points.

"The 3D element brings together different elements to the work.”

Nel Thomas, winner of the art medal, is 16 years old.

She is a pupil at Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Plas Mawr and has just completed her GCSE exams in the subjects of art, music and graphics.

Nel said: “I’ve competed a number of times over the years and presented 3D work for the art and craft competitions at the Urdd with my twin, Casi, since we were in reception class.

Read more: Vale of Clwyd singers to entertain Wales' Commonwealth Games athletes

"I enjoy making creative pieces as well as studying and drawing faces.

"I often create a piece from my imagination. I enjoy creating black and white items using graphite pencils.

“I hope to continue studying A-levels in art, graphics, biology and crime.

"In the future I’m considering following a career in forensic anthropology, where I hope to use my artistic skills too.”