Information on Loughborough

Artist inspires local children to pick up their brushes

Posted on 28/12/2008

Loughborough University Website

Artist inspires local children to pick up their brushes

Loughborough University artist Ben Cohen, who this year became the first-ever Loughborough student to have his work displayed at the National Portrait Gallery in London, visited a local school recently to help inspire the next generation of budding artists.

Ben, who is a second year Fine Art student, spent the day talking to children in years four and six at Sutton Bonington Primary School, near Loughborough. He also took along one of his sketchbooks and photographs of some of his paintings, including that of Loughborough bookseller John Gallon, which is now on display at the National Portrait Gallery.

Class 6 teacher Miss Leeson said the children were delighted to meet and talk to Ben. “The children asked him about the way he works and the materials he uses,” she explained. “They’re looking forward even more now to seeing the real portrait of ‘John’ when they visit the National Portrait Gallery on their trip to London in July!”

Ben’s oil on canvas painting was entered into the gallery’s BP Portrait Award, an annual competition aimed at encouraging artists to focus upon and develop the theme of portraiture in their work. The portrait was selected to form part of the competition exhibition, which runs until 14 September.