Diversity award for dedicated young artist

Mark Vice, a former pupil at Kilsyth academy, was awarded ‘Cultural Icon of the Year’ at the second annual awards ceremony, which took place at the Hilton Hotel.

Presented by Jane McGarry, best known as Isa in hit BBC TV comedy series Still Game, the award recognises a creative individual who has promoted and supported diversity through the arts.

As the only artist shortlisted alongside the likes of Hollyoaks star Annie Wallace and Scottish crime writer Val McDermid, Mark was honoured and ecstatic to have been named ‘Cultural Icon’ 2016.

The 23-year-old visual artist said: “I am delighted to have won the cultural icon award at this year’s ceremony. For me it’s a very proud moment.

“A lot of the work I have done over the past year has supported the LGBT+ community and I am always trying to communicate the values of diversity and self expression through my artwork – it’s really important to me that we are all true to ourselves.”

The tech savvy artist who has sold his artwork worldwide puts his success down to the power of social media.

He said, “I don’t think I could do what I’m doing without the help of social media. It helps me connect with such a bigger audience and I can really get my message to the people that it matters to most.” Mark went on to say, “This award is a fantastic way to round off a productive and successful year and I am so excited to see what 2017 will hold!”

If you would like to find out more about Mark and his work, follow him on Instagram: @markviceart