For our final show in 2016, the Best of the Best Award was re-imagined. Rather than having a ‘Best of the Best’ marquee as in previous years, this year award was made to demonstrators in their own marquees for best stand and best demonstration. This was to celebrate and encourage Art in Action’s unique appeal as a demonstration event.
The ‘Best Stand’ awards were to be decided by the usual peer group vote among the demonstrators, with each being asked to vote for the best stand in their section. The ‘Best Demonstration’ award was decided by a judging panel:
- Jeremy Sinclair – Organiser of Art in Action – 2005 to 2014
- Roanna Wells – Best of the Best Winner – 2009 (& 3rd place 2014)
- Andrew Brewerton – Principal & Chief Executive, Plymouth College of Art
- Becky Crow – Best of the Best Winner – 2015
The quality of demonstration at Art in Action has always been very high and we hoped this approach would encourage excellence in the art of demonstration itself as much as in the work. We also hoped the award would recognise the vital importance of connection between demonstrators and visitors.
2016 Demonstration Winners
- 1st Place went to Hikmet Barutcugil in International Art.
- Photo credit: Nathan Gaydhani
- Photo credit: Nathan Gaydhani
- Photo credit: Nathan Gaydhani
- 2nd Place went to Jin Eui Kim in Ceramics.
- Photo credit: Nathan Gaydhani
- Photo credit: Ian Murray
- Photo credit: Nathan Gaydhani
- 3rd Place went to Lucie Gledhill in Metalwork & Jewellery.
- Photo credit: Nathan Gaydhani
- Photo credit: Nathan Gaydhani
- Photo credit: Nathan Gaydhani
- The Glass Tent was also given a special recognition award as a complete performance piece, with live glassblowing demonstrations throughout all four days of the show.
- Photo credit: Nathan Gaydhani
- Photo credit: Nathan Gaydhani
- Photo credit: Nathan Gaydhani
2016 Best Stand Winners
- Illustration & Lettering Arts: Sarah Morpeth
- Ceramics: James Oughtibridge
- Digital Art: Henning Sanden
- Glass: The Bandits of Glass
- International Art: Tentmakers of Cairo
- Metalwork & Jewellery: Lucie Gledhill
- Nature in Art: Keith Jansz
- Newcomers: Loucinda Nims
- Painting: Evgeny Grachev
- Printmaking: Fred Mutebi
- QEST: Ruth Emily Davey
- Sculpture: Brendan Hesmondhalgh
- Textiles: Harriet Riddell
- Woodwork: James Otter