A year 8 student from Dorchester is ‘delighted’ and ‘surprised’ to have made it to the national stage of an annual art competition.

Sophia Fielding entered the Rotary young artists competition at Dorchester Middle School and scooped the top award at the school before going on to win in the south west region.

After beating off 1,200 entries from across 50 Rotary clubs across Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire, she has earned a place in the national final.

Dorset Echo: Sophia Fielding with Rotary club president Dave Harris Sophia Fielding with Rotary club president Dave Harris (Image: Dorchester Middle School)

The Rotary young artist competition is held every year and is open to pupils across the country, with Sophia one of 30 students from Dorchester Middle School to have entered.

Sophia said: “I’m very proud of how I have done so far in the competition, as well as being incredibly delighted and surprised on having achieved so much.”

The theme of this year’s competition was ‘rebuilding’ and alongside the art work, each student had to write a statement that explained the reasons behind their piece.

She added: “When I first heard the theme 'rebuilding', I thought literally building a wall. When I thought more into it, I began to imagine ideas to do with people and opposites.

“For instance, I used the example of the cat and dog to signify two apparent sworn enemies coming together.

“When I brought these two ideas together, I came up with the artwork. It links to rebuilding with the community of people. It has all different people coming together to help their community.”

Dorset Echo: Sophia's winning piece of art Sophia's winning piece of art (Image: Dorchester Middle School)

All pupils who entered the competition attend the Dorchester Middle school ‘Ambitious Art club’ run by Art and Design teacher Vicky Gowers.

Vicky and the school are ‘super proud’ of Sophia but were left impressed by all the students who entered, and an award ceremony was held prior to Easter following the judging.

Vicky said: “She is a brilliant artist, so I am not surprised, and she is really deserving of this. It is fantastic and it is really good for the school”.

“We have an art club that we hold twice a week, and we used the competition as a project for the club, we were impressed with all the artwork that came in we had over 30 entries.”

Dorset Echo: Maya Simmonds, Iona Ryan, Frankie Lavelle, Atherine Kannamala, Rotary club president Dave Harris, Sophia Fielding, Robyn Collins, Belle Needham and Ciaran O’Connor Maya Simmonds, Iona Ryan, Frankie Lavelle, Atherine Kannamala, Rotary club president Dave Harris, Sophia Fielding, Robyn Collins, Belle Needham and Ciaran O’Connor (Image: Dorchester Middle School)

A list of all the students to have been recognised at Dorchester Middle School for their artwork:

Winners: 

1st Prize Sophia Fielding 8MH

2nd Prize  Ciaran O’Conner  7VG

Highly Commended:

Isabelle Needham 7PE

Frankie Lavelle  8IW

Five other school members were invited for their good drawing skills and design layout:

Maya Simmonds 8CWT

Kacey Dredge 8JG

Iona Ryan  8CWT

Atherine Kanamala  8IW

Robyn Collins 7VG

Sophia will find out her fate after the Tuesday, April 30 deadline for entries to be submitted nationally where she will have the chance to win a prizes of £150 and the opportunity to have a one-hour online meeting with artist Lucy Pittaway, and fellow member of the Fine Art Group of the Guild and artist, Caroline Evans.