Two Caithness artists reach final shortlist for major art prize

The Highland Society of London and Wasps Studios have just announced the final shortlist for the 2023 Highland Art Prize with two Caithness artists featured.

Society of Caithness Artists (SCA) members Jackie Newton and Leah Davis are two of the 12 artists whose artworks have been shortlisted by Ishbel Murray, an artist and art teacher based on the Isle of Lewis.

Jackie's work is called Digging For Bait (Thurso Beach)/A cladhach airson biathadh and Leah's is named Lady Of The Flowers – both are trained artists.

The 2023 Highland Art Prize winner will be announced at a prize-giving ceremony at the Briggait in Glasgow on Friday, October 20.

The prize-giving is free for all to attend and will be hosted in conjunction with the Royal National Mòd, Wasps Studios, Renfrewshire Council and Bòrd na Gàidhlig. The winning artist will receive £1000 (to be shared with their local art organisation), plus an exhibition opportunity at the Briggait in Glasgow, courtesy of Wasps Studios – a charity that provides studio spaces to artists and creators across Scotland.

Ishbel Murray chose her shortlist from 74 artworks which feature in an exhibition at the Briggait that is open every day 9.30am-5.30pm until Saturday, October 21. SCA members Euan Ferrier, Debbie Lee and Shelagh Swanson had also been in the running for the art prize but did not make the final shortlist. There were 74 submissions from 16 art organisations across the Highlands and Islands.

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