Talented young artists from schools across Worcestershire are being offered the chance to showcase their work in a professional gallery setting, with £2,500 of cash prizes up for grabs.
A new collaboration between the University of Worcester and the Clothiers Company of Worcester Charitable Foundation will bring a fresh exhibition to the city in June 2026.
Titled Loose Ends: Art, Identity and Place, the exhibition will feature work by students aged 16-18, exploring wool as both a material and a symbol of heritage, sustainability, and creativity.
Artists from participating schools have been invited to submit work in any medium, including textiles, mixed media, sculpture, and digital forms which explore the cultural and environmental stories woven into Worcestershire’s identity.
The exhibition encourages the young artists to reflect on the region’s rich history of wool production and craftsmanship, while imagining a sustainable future shaped by innovation and artistry.
Dr Mark Flisher, Head of the Institute of Arts and Humanities at the University of Worcester, said: “Our collaboration with the Clothiers Company of Worcester is a fantastic opportunity for us and the wider Worcestershire community.”
He continued: “The Art House is a very important place in the city. It’s a space that inspires, challenges and celebrates artistic expression and for many people, it is the beginning of their creative journey. We cannot wait to see the artists of the future getting their first experience of exhibiting their work here.”
The exhibition will run for one week at the University’s Art House, with an opening night to celebrate the artists and their guests.
Ian Smith, from the Clothiers Company of Worcester, said: “The Clothiers Company has been involved with education, enterprise, and opportunity throughout its long history.”
He continued: “We’re delighted to support this new competition with wool at its heart, a material that has played a huge part in the development of Worcester, and now offers so many sustainable options as a material and a wonderful medium for artists.”
Prizes will be sponsored by the Clothiers Company of Worcester and will be given in the following categories:
- The Clothiers’ Gold Award: £750 awarded to the artist (aged 17–18) whose work demonstrates innovation and skill in addressing the exhibition’s theme.
- The Broadcloth Prize: £750 awarded to the artist (aged 16–17) whose work demonstrates innovation and skill in addressing the exhibition’s theme.
- The University of Worcester’s Fullers’ Prize: Ten prizes of £100 each, awarded to emerging Worcestershire artists recognised as the ones to watch.
The Clothiers Company of Worcester is the city’s last remaining trade guild and is one of its most historic organisations, having gained its Ordinances in 1522 and a Royal Charter from Queen Elizabeth I in 1590.
The Company’s Charitable Foundation promotes education, heritage, and entrepreneurship across Worcestershire.
Schools wishing to take part can get in touch with the University’s Schools and Colleges Team to express their interest: schoolsandcolleges@worc.ac.uk
For information on courses at University of Worcester visit www.worcester.ac.uk or for application enquiries telephone 01905 855111 or email admissions@worc.ac.uk