MORE than 30 young artists shortlisted for the South Wales Argus Young Gwent Artist of the Year competition can see their entries on display in Newport.

Children and teenagers aged between nine and 18 were invited to send in their best paintings, sketches and doodles to compete for the title of Young Artist of the Year in the South Wales Argus Young Gwent Artist of the Year competition.

Their work is currently on display to the public in the Gallery at the Riverfront theatre, Newport. The competition, now in its second year, was launched to celebrate the artistic talents of young people in Gwent and has three categories – eight years old and under; nine to 12 years and 13 to 18 years.

Winners and runners-up will be announced at a prizegiving evening on March 16 at the Riverfront Theatre between 6pm and 7.30pm.

Those shortlisted are:Amy Hansen, nine; Rohan Underwood, nine; Martha Chinery, five; Edith Fletcher, four; Jessica McMail, seven; Lois Harrison, ten; all from Langstone Primary School.

Bethany Duffin, nine, of Rhiw Sir Dafydd School; Eve Edwards, seven, of Shirenewton Primary School; Charlotte English, 11, from Abersychan Comprehensive; Jacob Morgan, seven, Ysgol Bryn Onnen; Thomas James Bewley, seven, Glasllwch Primary School; Misty Blu Evans, seven, Ysgol Bryn Onnen School; Emily Jean Griffiths 16, Caerleon Comprehensive; Dante Augustus Valaydon Pillay, of Triley, Abergavenny.

Leah McCann, seven, Euphemia Tolcher Goldwyn, eight, and Cari Trayhern, all of Ysgol Bryn Onnen.

Emily Ware, nine, Griffithstown Primary School; Alysia Jade Marie Gajda, 16, St Albans RC High School; Aran Brown, 17, Brynmawr Foundation School; Hollie May Williams, 17, of Oakdale; Hannah Elizabeth Royle, 16, Bassaleg Comprehensive; Martha Smith, seven, Ysgol Gymraeg Cwmbran; Dylan Cross, nine, of Ysgol Gymraeg Cwmbran.

Eve Louise Morell, nine, of Goytre Fawr Primary School; Georgia Haggerty, 14, Cwmcarn High School; Ross Willmett, 18 of C a l d i c o t Comprehensive School; Ariel Gyori, 18, Duffryn Comprehensive; Louie Pearson, eight, C a e r l e o n Comprehensive; Julia Clarke, 17, of Bassaleg Comprehensive; Cery Jackson, 17, Cross Keys College.

The winner of this year’s competition will be awarded £500 cash and will be invited to design the Riverfront’s autumn brochure cover.