Belinda Stephenson Wins West Sussex Arts Prize

A bold abstract from painter Belinda Stephenson has won the Juliet Pannett trophy in the annual West Sussex Art Society exhibition.

Born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa, Belinda graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Fine Arts), from the University of Cape Town, South Africa before completing a PGCE (Art and Design) at the University of Brighton.

Since 2002, she has taught at Northbrook College, Chichester High School for Boys and at Bognor Community College. Belinda recently exhibited at the Petworth House Gallery, and has shown work in a number of businesses in Worthing.

Belinda is a member of RAG, and the abstract painting is from a series which has recently been seen in RAG shows at Brighton's Fringe Basement and Arundel Wildfowl and Wetlands Centre. 2005 is the second year running that the prize has gone to a RAG artist; last year's winner was illustrator Steve Carroll.

The Juliet Pannett trophy is named after the energetic portraitist who passed away in August this year. Born in Hove, Juliet studied at Brighton School of Art, before going on to draw players for Sussex County Cricket Club and Brighton and Hove Football Club. She became well known for her drawings of jazz musicians, and was then commissioned to complete a series of royal portraits. These included Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, both of which were commissioned as gifts to the Queen.

Juliet also painted two portraits of the Queen, as well as completing commercial illustrations for Radio Times, book publishers and London Illustrated News. From 1973 – 1992, Juliet led the Pannett art courses from her home in Angmering. She passed away in Rustington on 22nd August.

Belinda's black and white abstract is on show in the society’s annual exhibition in The Studio at Worthing Museum & Art Gallery until 22nd October. Steve Carroll also has work in the show; this year, a digital portrait of fellow RAG artist Bob Brighton. Worthing Museum & Art Gallery is open from Tuesday – Saturday.