The judges for this year’s competition include some of the most respected names in the field: Claire Sparkes, Matthew Phinn, and RI President Chris Myers. Finalists’ paintings are available to view online, and the winner and runners-up will be announced on 7th February 2025.

Mrs Parkes, enthused:
"We are absolutely delighted for Nell. Her creativity, attention to detail, and passion for art have always shone brightly, and being named a finalist for the RI Coronation Award is a testament to her hard work and talent. Competitions like these give young artists a platform to showcase their abilities, and Nell has truly risen to the occasion. We are so proud of her!”

The RI Coronation Award is highly competitive, with entries submitted from schools and young artists across the UK. The winner will receive £300 worth of art materials, and the winning school will be awarded a £1,000 materials bursary, generously sponsored by Dryad Education. The three prizewinners will also have their paintings exhibited at the 213th Exhibition of the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours, which will be held at the Mall Galleries in London from 26th March to 5th April 2025.

Mr Lee, Head of the School, also expressed his pride in Nell’s accomplishment:
"This is a tremendous achievement, and we are incredibly proud of Nell. To be recognised at such a high level in a national competition speaks volumes about her dedication and skill. It’s wonderful to see her talent celebrated in this way, and we are all rooting for her as the final announcement approaches."

For now, we will eagerly await the results, but no matter the outcome, this is a moment to celebrate Nell’s incredible talent and the recognition she has earned.

Explore Nell’s work alongside the other finalists here:
👉 royalinstituteofpaintersinwatercolours.org/the-ri-coronation-award/

Congratulations once again to Nell – we look forward to seeing what you’ll achieve next!