THIS year sees the launch of the Tavistock Young Artists Exhibition, which aims to celebrate and promote the creativity of young people in Tavistock.

Organised by West Devon Art Workshops and founded by art teachers Andy and Gill Cairns, the exhibition is free to enter and open to all young people in the area, aged 3-19.

The exhibition will accept one entry per person and all entered work will be exhibited, unless it might cause offence.

Organisers are looking for entries in the form of paintings, drawings, mixed media, sculpture, textiles, printmaking, photography, digital print and graffiti – all with a theme of colour.

The exhibition is supported by Devon County Councillor Debo Sellis, who contributed £1,000 from her locality budget toward the running costs. It is also supported by Tavistock Town Council and Dartprint.

Organiser Andy Cairns said: ‘We are grateful for the generosity of our sponsors in helping us launch what we are sure will become the annual Tavistock Young Artists Exhibition.

‘This is a great opportunity to celebrate the creativity of young people locally, showing how people of all ages can contribute to a vibrant and exciting local cultural scene.’

Cllr Debo Sellis said: ‘Andy and Gill Cairns have recognised that young people can benefit from being creative. Establishing a Young Artists Exhibition where 3-19 year olds can show their talents on the subject “colour”  will be exciting and I am really looking forward to seeing the results in June.’

A spokesperson for the exhibition said: ‘So far seven local schools and two youth clubs have confirmed they will be participating and Tavistock Library is also acting as a collection point for art work.

‘The theme this year is colour and young people are being encouraged to be as playful and imaginative as possible, with entries accepted in drawing, painting, printmaking, textiles, sculpture, photography, digital print and graffiti.’

There is a local steering group that will oversee the group, consisting of Vicki Lloyd of Tavistock Youth Cafe; Jenny Pollock, art co-ordinator at Whitchurch Primary School; Lewi Byron, art teacher at Tavistock College; Gema Spooner head of art at Mount Kelly College and Andy Cairns of West Devon Art Workshops.

Local businesses are donating prizes to be awarded on the opening night, with prizes for the most playful and the most original works in different categories plus a group category. All entrants will also receive a young artist certificate.

The exhibition will be on show at Tavistock Town Hall, June 7 to 9. The closing date for entries is May 23.