The Development Team are thrilled to announce that two Heriot's pupils have been shortlisted for the Atelier Gallery Young Emerging Commercial Artist Award 2025.

Anna (current S6 pupil) and Max (current S5 pupil) have been listed as two of the five young artists to make this year's shortlist. 

The competition, which aims to highlight emerging talent in the field of commercial art, is a prestigious annual award which will see one young artist announced as the winner on 15 May. 

The winner is chosen by public vote, alongside guest judge (artist, Alison Cowan). Voting is now open until the 10 May. We are inviting all members of the Heriot's Community to support our young artists by voting here . Max's painting is number 2, and Anna's is number 5. You can also visit Atelier Gallery from 2 - 10 May to see the shortlisted artworks exhibited.

We spoke to Anna and Max about their reaction to the shortlisitng and some of the inspiration for their artwork. 

Anna said: I'm thrilled to have been shortlisted for the Atelier Gallery Young Emerging Commercial Artists competition. I have loved visiting the gallery itself and finding out, in great detail, the processes of how commercial artists work and display their pieces. Much of the inspiration for my own painting came from such galleries, which I tried to convey through the mixture of architecture, sculpture and landscape throughout my entry’s subject matter. Scottish art, its history and the galleries of Edinburgh are what I’m most passionate about, so it is an honour for one of my works to have been selected for this competition.

Max spoke about the inspiration for his painting, Oma's House: I’m really pleased to be shortlisted. My painting is inspired by the light and colours in my grandmother’s living room.

Please join us in supporting the next generation of Heriot's art talent! 

Online Voting is now open until 10 May. Shortlisted artwork is exhibited during this time at Atelier Gallery.

The Atelier Gallery
5 Howard Street
Edinburgh
EH3 5JP