Having my work featured in Top Arts this year has been an amazing opportunity; i’ve been full of excitement from the moment I sent off my application. It has been a long time building up to the opening and I am so happy now to sit back and celebrate my achievement.
I picked up art as a subject at school at the start of year 12, prior to that I had no interest in art whatsoever. I didn’t even know what Top Arts was until I went to the 2013 exhibition with my class. I still remember late last year when my art teacher suggested I apply for Top Arts and I laughed; I never thought this is something I would be a part of. Nevertheless I sent off my application expecting nothing in return.
When I found out both my works had been shortlisted I was shocked and proud that I’d even made it to that phase. So in January when I found both my pieces had been chosen to exhibit, well no words can explain how surprised and excited I was!
This incredible opportunity means more to me than just having some of my work in an amazing gallery; it proves that I (and anyone else) can do well in something I never thought I would be good at. This whole experience has taught me a lot about myself in terms of what I can achieve with time and effort. If somebody told me 18 months ago that I would be a part of this, I would have never believed them – I didn’t even like art back then! But here I am now and I couldn’t be happier and prouder of myself.