First published on Friday 22 April 2005:

First prize for teacher who frees creativity

by Sarah Cole

A MUM who teaches art to prison inmates has scooped first prize in a charity exhibition in Southampton.

Sue Thornton was named overall winner of the Wayne Howard Trust exhibition, currently on display at the city's Harbour Lights cinema complex in Ocean Village.

The Winchester mother-of-three was presented with a hand-framed certificate and a bottle of champagne by Southampton mayor Dennis Harryman.

Overall Winner: Susan Thornton with 'Swanage'
left to right, Michael Grimshaw, Fine Art Tutor, Winchester School of Art.  Susan Thornton & Mayor of Southampton, Cllr Dennis Harryman

Her painting, Swanage, was one of a series of local scenes she produced last summer. Having previously concentrated on abstracts and life drawing, it was the first time she had turned her hand to landscapes.

Sue, who works as an art teacher at Winchester Prison, said she was "absolutely amazed" her work had been chosen as best in the show.

"To be honest, I just stuck it in at the last minute with my friend," she said.

Exhibition judge Michael Grimshaw said Sue's work was in a class of its own.

Michael, fine art tutor at Winchester School of Art, said: "The winning painting was an outstanding piece of observational drawing."

More than 100 pieces of work by local artists were entered for the exhibition, which runs until Sunday.

Half of the money raised from sales - or in some cases 100 per cent - will go to the Wayne Howard Trust, to help brain damaged patients reach their full potential.

The charity was set up by the family of Millbrook dad Wayne Howard, now 36, who was left severely brain damaged after a near-fatal motorbike crash.