Shortlisted artists, who were judged on their potential to succeed professionally, will be eligible to receive one of five fantastic awards, including the main £10,000 Valeria Sykes Prize, a £2,500 Sponsor’s Choice Award, and the £1,000 Norman Ackroyd Etching Prize. The winner of the main prize and recipients of the other awards will be announced on 20 September at the Private Viewing of the New Lights Exhibition at the Mercer Art Gallery. This year’s judges are key figures in the art world and include artist Norman Ackroyd, one of Britain’s most famous contemporary printmakers and co-coordinator of the 2013 Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, Jane Sellars, Curator for Art at the Mercer Art Gallery, and Chris Wadsworth, respected arts writer and lecturer. New Lights 2013 is at The Mercer Art Gallery, Swan Road, Harrogate HG1 2SA from 21 Sept – 17 Nov 2013. Entry is free and the gallery is open from Tues to Sat 10am to 5pm, Sun 2pm to 5pm, closed Mondays except Bank Holidays (note: closes 4pm daily November to March).