Once more" tinseltown" came to Edgbaston on June 25th with the Art Department's annual Art Exhibition and Golden Sketchbook Awards. Now in its fourth year the event gives parents and visitors the chance to see the full range of work produced in the Art department, including ceramics, fine art, graphic design and animation. Sketchbook work is a vital part of the department's work with girls and The Golden Sketchbook awards acknowledge outstanding achievement in this regard.

In an event modelled on Hollywood award ceremonies, those girls nominated for such awards entered school by the way of a red carpet in the full glare of flashbulbs and to the acclaim of an assembled multitude, distinguished by the glamour of their appearance. Mr Proctor interviewed nominees upon arrival and these encounters were videoed and projected on the wall for all to see whilst the crowd toasted friends and daughters at the champagne reception. The Award Ceremony itself included a dance by Nikhila Patel and Victoria Nicholls as well as musical performances by Grace Farrell and our own Mr Smith. Dr Weeks presented a variety of awards and trophies recognising outstanding artistic achievement from Year 7 to the Sixth Form.

Professor O'Neill of Birmingham Institute of Art and Design presented the two Golden Sketchbook trophies and offered high praise to the girls singled out for this distinction: Isobel Jones in Year 11 and Sophie Barrett in Year 12. The exhibition was received appreciatively by all and was very well attended by old girls as well as by special guests and parents.