Aberystwyth Arts Centre held an awards evening last week to honour the artists who contributed to a lockdown exhibition, celebrating “the value that the arts have played over the period of the pandemic”.

The Oriel Lockdown exhibition, which is running in the arts centre until 5 September, displays submitted works that were created during the lockdown in response to the pandemic.

A spokesperson said: “This exhibition celebrates the value that the arts have played over the period of the pandemic. With most of us confined to our houses and the local vicinity, we noticed on social media that a huge amount of people including amateur and professional artists were turning to art and creativity to see them through.

“We wanted to capture a snapshot of this unprecedented time where we have collectively had to face an overwhelming, extraordinary and uncertain situation, and so decided to make an open call out to submit works that were created during lockdown and responded to the pandemic.”

On 22 August, the arts centre held an event to celebrate the exhibition and award prizes to those who contributed.

The £500 Spirit of Lockdown Prize was shared between five artists; Hannah Dee, Suzie Larke, Louise Short, Penny Hallas, and Richard Battrick.

The £250 People’s Choice Award went to Alice Forward.

The arts centre’s visual arts manager, Ffion Rhys said: “Thank you so much to Ben Lake MP for Ceredigion for presenting the awards and to the Friends of the Arts Centre for their kind donation.

“Thank you to Anthony Shapland, curator at g39, Cardiff for helping me here at the arts centre in selecting the work, and to the judges - musician Georgia Ruth, National Library of Wales curator Morfudd Bevan, artist Bedwyr Williams and student Catrin Dafis for choosing the winners, it really was a very special evening.

“Thank you for making this lovely evening and exhibition happen.”

The team received over 1,000 submissions, on Instagram and email, for the exhibition. Anthony Shapland, curator at g39 gallery in Cardiff, and Ms Rhys then decided which of these would feature in the exhibition.

The spokesperson added: “We hope that you will take some time to read some of the extraordinary stories in this exhibition that includes nearly 400 pieces of work by 160 artists using all kinds of media from the much-needed toilet rolls at the time to diaries, painting, drawing, photography, film testaments and installation.

“The artworks take over the whole arts centre and speak of the unease of confinement, walks that rediscover your square mile, the joys of nature and gardening, our eccentric hobbies, resourcefulness and the celebration of our National Health Service and its incredible staff.

“Thank you all for taking part and sharing your stories.”