Art and design students following vocational courses at Coleg Sir Gâr's Graig campus have been awarded prestigious prizes as part of an awards evening held at a private viewing of their end of year show.

Yasmin Pugh from Llanelli took the student of the year award for her contribution to the National Diploma in art and design, Yuncheng Wu from Kidwelly was awarded the student of the year for his studies on the First Diploma.

Llanelli Art Society Chairman Gordon Price was on hand to award the Phoebe Ann Evans Award and the Derrick H Pratt awards, which are £50 prizes given to students who show excellence in art and design. This year, Kay Lee Davies from Ceredigion, Heidi Green from Carmarthen and Julie Anne Evason from Glanamman received the awards.

Coleg Sir Gâr is this year, supporting a UK-wide Vocational Qualifications Day (VQ Day) which celebrates the achievements of talented and skilled individuals who have achieved success in their vocational qualifications. Coleg Sir Gâr's vocational art and design provision is celebrating a pass-rate of 100 per cent within its National Diploma course, with nearly 40 per cent of students achieving a grade 'A'.

Students who have completed their National Diplomas are now preparing for university degree courses in September where they will study a range of subjects, including painting, sculpture, graphics, photography, Industrial design, architecture, textiles and fashion.

Mary Penn, course leader for the National Diploma in Art and Design at the Graig campus said, “Vocational courses offer a practical approach to learning, which is supported by theory work - and are a recognised gateway to University. We have a wide range of students studying with us, with a broad range of academic and practical skills - of all ages and backgrounds, but they all excel once they come to college and are able to express their personal creativity and individuality. Once completed, our students go on to complete degree programmes in their chosen speciality or into employment. As a course team, we are very proud of their achievements.”

Photos: (LLANELLI/GLANAMAN/CEREDIGION)

Kay Lee Davies, 19 from Ceredigion receives the 'Phoebe Ann Evans Award' from Llanelli Art Society. Kay Lee is pictured with faculty manager Paul Evans

Yasmin Pugh, 17 from Llanelli receives Student of the Year award for the National Diploma Art and Design course. Yasmin is pictured with art and design lecturer Mary Penn.

Julie Anne Evason from Glanaman receives a Llanelli Art Society 'Derrick H Pratt' award from chairman Gordon Price.

For further information, please contact Amanda Rees on 01554 748118 or amanda.rees@colegsirgar.ac.uk