The Super Plus Under 40 Artist of the Year Competition and Exhibition 2009 starts on Thursday 27 August at 7.00 pm.

The four artists competing for the top prize this year are Sheldon Blake (painting), Oliver Myrie (painting), Shanti Persaud (photography) and O”Dwayne Wilson (painting/installation).

Sheldon Blake, graduated in 2001 from the Edna Manley College. He has participated in several local group exhibitions and is now pursuing a BAE (Bachelor of Art Education) at the Edna Manley College. He has participated in several exhibitions locally, the most important, the National Gallery of Jamaica Annual National in 2001 and the Biennale in 2002.

Oliver Myrie is a 2005 graduate of the Edna Manley College. His achievements include a scholarship to the University of Contemporary Art in Pont-Aven, France in 2004. He has participated in several exhibitions locally.

Shanti Persaud joined the University of the West Indies Camera Club between 1995-1998 and is a founding member of the JBW Fine Art Photography Club. She was the 2004 ROSL Travel Scholar in Arbroath, Scotland and has participated in several exhibitions locally, notably the Quake Exhibition in 2007 at the Institute of Jamaica, and in England.

O’Dwayne Wilson will graduate from the Edna Manley College in 2009 with a BFA. He has exhibited in the 2008 Biennale at the National Gallery of Jamaica.