WILL a local artist achieve acclaim in the National Open Art Competition (NOAC) following a Bude artist's success last year?

Last year, Joy Wolfenden-Brown, of Bude, won the first place Towry Award for 'The Lacemaker'.

She described some of her work as "a need to slow down and be still as the world appears to be overtaking and speeding by."

Joy was presented with her £10,000 prize by Grayson Perry at The Prince Drawing rooms, Hoxton, in October. She returned the favour by presenting him with a gift-wrapped parcel of home made flapjacks.

This is the 17th year of the competition, and Joy was up against 2,100 other artists. NOAC aims to nurture creative talent from both emerging and professional artists.

This year will see a photography section as well as other art mediums, and the prize for young artists has increased.

Deadline for entries is on July 31. For more information, visit http://www.thenationalopenartcompetition.com">www.thenationalopenartcompetition.com.

For the full report, and a round up of the area news and sport, see this week's edition of the 'Post'.