STUDENTS across four schools will be battling it out to see who will be crowned Salisbury’s Young Artist of the Year.

The competition, sponsored by Gallery 21, will see 16 artists between 16 and 18 years old from the participating schools create paintings no bigger than A1.

These finalists will be whittled down to a final four, with Gallery 21 curator Trevor Horswell and well-known local artist Karen Welsh taking on the role of judges.

Only one of these four artists will be crowned the first Salisbury Artist of the Year – and they will be given a Gallery 21 perpetual trophy which will be displayed in their school.

Both the winning artist and the runners-up will see their creations displayed in a prominent place within the gallery itself.

A Gallery 21 spokesperson said: “One wonders who will become the first student to hold the title and become the first Salisbury Artist of the Year.”

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The schools taking part include Godolphin School, Sarum Academy, Bishops Wordsworth and South Wiltshire Grammar School.

The four finalists will each be given a complete professional artist’s kit to encourage their continuing discovery of their evolving but recognised talents.

The winning artist will be unveiled on October 14, and an exhibition of the winner and runners up will take place from October 26 to November 2.

Gallery 21 is currently hosting an exhibition of a world-renowned artist originally from Ukraine, Andrei Protsouk.

He has brought his UK tour to the city, The Art of Love, which features his dramatic and highly colourful composition, using his renowned modern geometric style.