The City Day Secondary Schools Portrait Competition, open to all pupils in Years 7 to 11 from Southend’s schools and colleges, was part of the City Day celebrations and gave Southend’s young artists an opportunity to grow in confidence and shine.

Having been selected through submission of examples of their recent artwork, five students from each Year Group from across the City were challenged to step up to their easels and take part in a live, one-hour portrait challenge, working in a semicircle around a sitter, and in front of an audience. The winner from each Year Group received a £50 Lawrence Matthews voucher and £250 for their school’s Art Department.

Congratulations to Charlie (Year 7) who achieved first place in his Year Group competition, and to Sai (Year 9) who achieved third place. We are proud of Charlie and Sai for their impressive achievements, and for their courage in taking on the difficult challenge of a live competition. Both pupils are superb artists and we are delighted to celebrate their talent and success.