Matilda wins inaugural arts graduate accolade

WINNER WILL SEE HER WORK EXHIBITED AS PART OF PRIZE

- By ANDY PHILLIPS

A GRADUATE of Arts University Plymouth has been named the first winner of the Velarde Gallery South West Arts Graduate Award (SWAG), as part of a new partnership between the artist-run gallery and the former Plymouth College of Art.

Matilda Smyth was announced as winner of the award, in a ceremony which took place on the opening night of the university's city-centre Graduate Shows.

The new annual partnership between the Velarde Gallery and Arts University Plymouth is aimed at championing emerging talent in the South West as well as providing a professional pipeline to help retain the best creative graduates in the region.

Matilda completed her BA (Hons) Painting, Drawing & Printmaking degree at Arts University Plymouth this year, and was picked as winner after the judging panel toured Graduate Shows across the leading arts university.

Matilda said: "I'm grateful to Velarde Gallery for this opportunity and excited to exhibit alongside established artists.