Every year, ncas awards two prizes to Norwich University of the Arts Fine Art students: a Fine Art and New Makers prize, plus commendations in each category.
On 23 June, Sarah Longworth-West, Senior Lecturer BA (Hons) Fine Art (Painting), guided the ncas selection panel around ‘Grad Fest 2026’, the undergraduate degree show, to select the prizewinners.
“To be an artist is to rebel against social expectations, financial concerns and, sometimes, our own uncertainties. With such a wildly diverse range of practices, we contemplated what unified us as a collective and realised that it was courage.”
NUA Fine Art Catalogue 2026
With such a rich landscape to choose from, it proved to be an incredibly difficult task to select just one winner for each of the prizes but the panel did come to a consensus.
The Fine Art Prize was awarded to Ruby Oliver with her large-scale acrylic body paintings, depicting four generations of her family, embracing every imperfection.
Commendations go to Tom Harding and Pippa Bloom.
The New Makers Prize was awarded to Rob McLean for his unique synaesthetic environment, where tones, movements and textures coalesce.
Commendations go to Nancy-Mae Wright, Josie May Davies and Becky Gilbey.
