St. John’s Sixth Form star shines bright with national art win and London Screen Academy placement
We’re incredibly excited to celebrate the phenomenal achievements of Ruby Wilson, a Year 12 student at St. John’s Sixth Form, who is making significant waves in the creative world.
Ruby’s talent has earned her not only a prestigious national art competition win… but also a highly coveted spot at the esteemed London Screen Academy!
A portrait of success: Ruby’s artistic triumph
Ruby recently clinched a top spot in the Royal Academy of Art’s Young Artists’ Exhibition, a remarkable feat considering she beat out over 21,000 applicants from across the UK. Impressive.
Her winning piece is a vibrant and deeply expressive portrait, inspired by the powerful women in her life. Modeled by her friend and hairdresser, the artwork bursts with bright colours, beautifully symbolising personality and Ruby’s own profound emotional expression.
From canvas to screen: A multifaceted talent
And Ruby’s artistic achievements don’t stop there.. Her creative journey began at just five years old with Jack Drum Arts in Crook, where she now volunteers behind the scenes. She’s also played a pivotal role in film projects, collaborating with the British Film Institute.
Her work has even been showcased at the Sunderland Short Film Festival, where she contributed not only as an actor and writer but also as a makeup artist and co-director!
Ruby’s dedication has truly paid off. She’s been accepted into a highly competitive makeup prosthetics and wigs course at the London Screen Academy, a program that selects only 20 students from across the entire UK.
This incredible opportunity has already seen her attend masterclasses with leading industry experts such as Erika Ökvist (known for Bridgerton) and Guy Common (renowned for his work on Cabaret and film makeup).
Inspiring the next generation
Even with her burgeoning national success, Ruby remains deeply connected to her school community. She’s currently dedicating her time and artistic skill to paint the backdrop for St. John’s upcoming production of Frozen.
Ruby’s individual triumph comes as St. John’s Sixth Form proudly celebrates its recent Gold Artsmark Award, a well-deserved recognition of the school’s unwavering commitment to arts education.
Natalie Rose, Assistant Head Teacher at St. John’s, said: “Ruby is an exceptional student whose creativity, work ethic, and courage to be herself are truly inspiring. Her future in the creative industries looks incredibly bright.”
Chris Zarraga, Director of Schools North East, added: “Ruby’s remarkable achievements are a testament to the incredible talent nurtured within our North East schools.
“Her journey highlights the vital role that dedicated arts education plays in unlocking student potential and preparing them for exciting careers in creative industries. We are immensely proud to see her success.”
We can’t wait to see what incredible creations she brings to life next!
St John’s Catholic School & Sixth Form College is a Schools North East Partner School. If you’d like to find out more about our Partner School membership, click here.
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