The new “Artz Centre” in Skelmersadle celebrated an amazing first year, at a glitzy awards presentation at the DW Stadium in Wigan. Staff, students and more than 250 guests attended the “Oscars” style event, including the Mayor of West Lancashire Doreen Stevenson and the event sponsor David Vella of the Karl Vella Group.
More than 100 young people from Skelmersdale and the surrounding community received awards and acknowledgements for their outstanding achievement in the arts, including awards for Music, Dance and Drama.
The Artz Centre opened its doors in January 2014, when Director Mark Ashton and his team took over the building from West Lancashire Borough Council. The evening took a look back at the huge transformation of the once “Birchgreen Community Centre”. Since its launch a little over 12 months ago, The Artz Centre has now become home to more than 200 students from across the town who are developing under the guidance of creative professionals.
Sixteen year old Megan Sumner former Lathom High School pupil, scooped The student of the year award, whilst Eleven year old Grace Gough from Cobbs Brow Primary picked up Student Of The Year in the junior category. Other big prizes went to Hannah Hill and Gabby McEveley for Musical Achievement, Erica Lester and Courtney Helsby for Dramatic Performance, Caitlin Webster, Grace Worth and Macy McAllister for Achievement in Dance and special awards for Ellie Nesbitt and Rosa Taylor for Special Achievement and Best New Comer respectively.
Mark Ashton of Artz Centre had this to say:
It was great to see so many turn out on a cold January evening to celebrate what has been an amazing year for our students and our staff. When I took over the centre, I was always confident that we would make a success of it but perhaps even I couldn’t have predicted the overwhelming response we have had since its launch.
The Artz Centre has gone from strength to strength and a 5 year plan for change has been achieved in just twelve months. An empty shell has now been developed into a thriving hub for creative, passionate and talented people all working hard to better themselves. Opportunities in all forms of creativity are becoming available including photography, digital design, recording music and technical theatre to add to the already bustling dance, singing and drama classes.
I want to pay tribute to the students for their efforts and achievements and thank the Artz Team for their phenomenal input into making The Artz Centre the success it is. There is still a long way to go but the future looks bright for creative arts in Skelmersdale.