TWO Wee County school pupils had plenty reason to celebrate last week after winning awards at the Royal Scottish Academy Schools Art Awards.

Aarran Black, a pupil at Alloa Academy, came out on top in the junior category of the Brodies Regional Award North.

Gabriel Ammar of Dollar Academy, also done well, coming third in the overall senior category at the awards ceremony which was held at the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh last Wednesday, March 6.

This year, the awards further extended its reach, with entries coming from as far afield as Barra and Berwickshire and 16 schools entering the competition for the first time this year.

The Awards Ceremony in the RSA Galleries was a major celebration with schools from across Scotland receiving prizes.

A total of 25 students were presented with cash prizes by Brodies LLP’s partner, Laura McMillan and 60 other pupils were sent Highly Commended certificates.

Pupils were delighted to see their artworks framed and exhibited in such a prestigious location with some making their first visit to an art gallery.

Visitors to the exhibition are always impressed by the breadth of talent on show from the pupils.

The exhibition of winning entries is being shown until April 3 in the RSA alongside the New Contemporaries exhibition.

Christine O’Neill, Brodies’ chairperson, said: “Brodies LLP is delighted to once again sponsor the Schools Art Award.

"The standard of entries for the Chairmen’s Challenge and other categories has been excellent this year, and the creativity and originality demonstrated by participants has been truly inspirational.”

Joyce W. Cairns, president of the Royal Scottish Academy, added: “I was most impressed by the standard, variety and inventiveness of the submitted work.

“In presenting the Schools art award winners alongside the New Contemporaries Exhibition we are connecting the two at different stages on their creative journey.

“These budding young artists may be so inspired by this joint experience that they go on to become the New Contemporaries of the future.”

She went on: “We are hugely grateful for the support from Brodies LLP, without whom this reward would not be possible.”