Talented trio of young Kettering artists will see their work displayed in Japan

A trio of Kettering Buccleuch Academy students scooped three of the top spots in a national art competition.
Kettering Buccleuch Academy students Leah Mitchell, Amanda Liepina and Enilze Veizaga have been named winners of an art competitionKettering Buccleuch Academy students Leah Mitchell, Amanda Liepina and Enilze Veizaga have been named winners of an art competition
Kettering Buccleuch Academy students Leah Mitchell, Amanda Liepina and Enilze Veizaga have been named winners of an art competition

Amanda Liepina, 16, was named the overall winner in the contest, organised by United Learning, the group to which the school belongs.

Her winning work – Father and Daughter – has also been sent to Tokyo where it will be displayed at the International High School Arts Festival this summer. Amanda will also travel to Japan with her dad to present her work at the awarding ceremony in July.

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Amanda’s winning piece is a pencil drawing of her and her father sitting together when she was a young girl. It is a representation of the parental bond as well as the clear physical likeness.

Dad and Daughter by Amanda LiepinaDad and Daughter by Amanda Liepina
Dad and Daughter by Amanda Liepina

Artist and competition judge Michael Aubrey said: “This work displays fine draughtsmanship and excellent pencil technique. The re-enactment of the two individual subjects, the understated strength of the relationship and the excellent modelling in the faces is masterly.”

Enilze Veizaga came second with her portrait Grandmother and Leah Michell’s piece Remembering Ivy was awarded fourth. They will also see their work displayed.

Amanda Leipina said of winning the competition: “My parents have always encouraged me to draw from an early age and that support has given me the confidence to continue to develop my artwork. I never imagined that I could win such an important event. To think that I will be representing the UK and to have the experience of travelling to Japan to the exhibition opening is something I could never have imagined. It really is a dream come true.”

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Enilze Veizaga said: “I am thrilled and delighted to know I have achieved second place in the competition – I never realised I could go so far with my drawing.”

Grandmother by Enilze VeizagaGrandmother by Enilze Veizaga
Grandmother by Enilze Veizaga

Leah Mitchell added: “It is a great opportunity to be able to have my artwork displayed in Tokyo. I want to thank everyone who voted for me and made this achievable.”

Lyn Hewitson, artist in residence at Kettering Buccleuch Academy, said: “For these young artists to have the opportunity of exhibiting at this level is remarkable and for such hard working and diligent students to have their talents recognised is a source of great pride for the Art Department, the academy as a whole and of course the students themselves.”

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