A KYLE Academy pupil has been given a prestigious award.

Mhairi Smeeton won the Jack Kilgour Award at the annual Friends of the MacLaurin event, where the award is in memory of Jack Kilgour, a former Principal Teacher of Art in South Ayrshire, who was an active member of the first Friends’ committee.

Aimed at supporting and encouraging pupils to develop their creative talents, the award gives £100 for the winning entry, while their school receives the associated trophy for a year, with an additional £100 presented for the use of the Art department.

Three other pupils from schools across South Ayrshire were presented with Highly Commended awards, including, Drew Maxwell from Carrick Academy, Gabe Skeoch from Prestwick Academy and Megan McCulloch from Queen Margaret Academy.

Councillor Brian McGinley, South Ayrshire Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, Tourism and Leisure, said: “With a range of striking art submitted from all of our senior schools, this year’s exhibition is a true reflection of the emerging talent that’s being nurtured in our schools.

“Arts at Rozelle has hosted work from a variety of world class artists including Peter Howson and Alexander Goudie and exhibitors should be proud to associate their own work with such well established names.

“By making great use of this prominent platform to showcase this new art to the wider public we hope to inspire our young people to go on to bigger and better things.” 

The exhibition of the students work, at Rozelle House, will be running until Sunday, November 26.