LONDON.- Now in its third year, The Catlin Art Prize is an annual event showcasing the very best art school graduates one year on from their degree exhibitions. The Prize is unique in providing the artists with the time to develop their work, allowing them to produce a collection, rather than a single piece, to demonstrate their progress.

The curator of the prize, Justin Hammond, visits the BA and MA shows of every major UK art school and, in tandem with collectors of emerging artists and university curators, produces an initial shortlist of approximately 20 artists, from which the final selection is made. The chosen artists are considered to be producing work of an outstanding quality which demonstrates their capacity to make a significant mark in the art world during the next decade. A panel of three judges, which this year includes the collector Robert Devereux, determines the recipient of the £3,000 Catlin Art Prize, to be announced on the 19th May.

The Catlin Prize Showcase Exhibition will take place at Village Underground in Shoreditch from 20th–24th May.

Robert Devereux (Judge 2009 and private collector): “The Catlin art prize is unique in recognising and rewarding young British artists at the outset of their careers. They are the creators and inspirers of the future and this is the most valuable moment at which to support the creative process.”

Brigitte Williams (Winner 2007): “The Catlin Art Prize creates a wonderful new opportunity for emerging Artists. Since winning two year ago, I have had an amazing journey seeing my work displayed and sold in various exhibitions, venues, and public collections on an international basis.”