This year, the Royston Arts Society (RAS) is celebrating its 40th anniversary by nurturing the next generation of artists! 
The Young Artists Awards were held for the first time this year, offering artists from 16-26 ye ars old in SG8 a chance to win one of six fabulous prizes. The quality of art submitted was exceedingly high. So who won?
Kate Bieriezjanczuk’s “At Dawn” (pictured on The Listing Royston cover) won the Curwens Solicitors Young Artist of the Year Award – £100 + a solo exhibition in January 2019. Look out for it!
Megan Wilson’s “Red Panda” (on The Listing Villages cover) won the Rotary Club of Royston’s Art Inspiration Award and a one year Tate Membership for her + guest.
Chloe Alcock’s “Unpleasant Discoveries” won the Art Supplies Award, a £100 art hamper from Great Art, and Creative Royston’s £50 prize for the best ‘Voyages of Discovery’ themed painting.
Ash Moorley’s “Stargazer” won The Old School Studio Art Tutorial Award and a £75 voucher towards the art workshop of her choice.
Annabel McCraith’s “Through the Looking Glass” won the Artists & Illustrators Art Information Award – a one year subscription to this top art publication.
The winning artworks were on show at the annual RAS Autumn Exhibition. This is the largest, most diverse art exhibition in Royston’s creative calendar, showcasing art in various mediums, skills and themes.
In the beginning this non-profit membership organisation, founded in 1979, met once a week for painting classes in Sylvia Jordan’s dining room. Things really started in 1978 though, when Edwin (Gary) Grimaldi retired and moved to Royston, only to discover there was no local art scene. Using his art exhibition experience, Gary advertised for like-minded people to help him set up Royston’s first local exhibition.
Today, the RAS has a membership of roughly 100, hosts nine art demonstrations every year, two painting sessions per month, an ongoing mini-exhibition at Royston Library, and two larger annual exhibitions.
On its 40th anniversary, the RAS is looking after the future of local art. Hosting Creative Royston’s Cover Art auction and awarding the winners of the Young Artist Awards on Preview Night are only some of the things the RAS does to maintain Royston’s thriving art scene.
