An aspiring artist has had her work chosen to be the face of an art’s festival.

Jo Taswell, who is studying for a degree in fine art, won a poster design competition held with students of Northbrook College in collaboration with Worthing Festival.

The college’s creative students, covering fine art, prop making, textiles and photography, were invited to submit a piece which could be used as the “face” of this year’s multi-arts festival, which will bring together a host of events and activities covering live music, dance, heritage, art, comedy and from June 8 to 23.

After reviewing the submissions, the competition’s judging panel unanimously selected Jo’s abstract seascape painting as the winner.

The panel comprised Helena Thomas, Principal, Kirste McCool, higher education quality manager from Northbrook College, councillors Rita Garner, Dale Overton and Cathy Glynn-Davies, Richard Manders from Colonnade House and Judy Fox from Time for Worthing.

Councillor Garner, Worthing’s cabinet member for culture and leisure, said: “We were once again blown away by the quality of this year’s submissions and I’d like to thank all the students for their wonderful work. Jo’s original and striking seascape exemplifies the wealth of creative talent in our coastal town and the surrounding region.”

Jo, a mature student, originally studied at Northbrook but has now returned to the college after rediscovering her passion for painting during lockdown. She is in the process of completing a her degree at Northbrook College’s West Durrington campus.

“I’m delighted that my painting has been selected for the official artwork for Worthing Festival 20244,” she said.

“I’m proud to be representing Northbrook College and, as a mature student studying BA (Hons) Fine Art, I hope to inspire other artists to return to education later in life. It is a real confidence boost and I look forward to seeing my work in print promoting Worthing’s fantastic multi-arts festival.

Event organisers have also been invited to attend the Get Ready for Worthing Festival event at Colonnade House on January 18, which will talk people through registering an event, booking a venue and share some advice on how to promote an event.