TALENTED Gwent sculptor and illustrator Sam Pritchard has proved he is tune with client needs after being picked to design and make the winners’ trophies for the Love Live Music Awards.

Dubbed the Cherubs, the unique handmade trophies will be presented to the winner of each of the 10 categories on Sunday, October 1, at The Love Live Music Awards 2017.

Cardiff Metropolitan University graduate Sam, aged 26, of Mathern, near Chepstow, only recently set up on his own in a studio close to Chepstow railway station.

Sam is resident artist with charity Monmouthshire Upcycle.

The Love Live Music Awards are being staged by Newport City Radio and are being sponsored by Newport-based Kymin Financial Advisors with the South Wales Argus as media partners

Places at the Neon, Clarence Place, Newport, for the awards event are limited so to be sure of your place book your ticket at www.newportcityradio.org

Sam, who trades as Pritchcraft, said: “I was thrilled to receive the commission for the Love Live Music Awards. To even be thought of to make the awards is quite an honour. It’s a real challenge but there is a tremendous feeling of accomplishment at the end of completing the task.

“I have done a fair few commissions over the last few years but this is quite a substantial one, it’s very exciting.

Sam, who attended Chepstow School, said: “I begin with some initial designs which tend to be rather rough drawings. Once the client has chosen their favourite design I work more detail into that design, add colour and offer different options for how it will be made and what process it will take. Once all is agreed I begin the making process.

“I’m hoping that the publicity surrounding the Love Live Music Awards will help get my name and that of my company out there which may then in turn lead to winning more commissions.”

Sam, who will be present on the day at the awards, said: “I will be very proud and honoured to know I had an input in the whole awards ceremony. To see the reactions of the recipients when they receive their trophies will be great to see.”

Sam thanked his former schoolmate Kris Vaughan-Adkins who also studied with him at university, who is deputy manager at the charity who helped secure him the position at the gallery.

Robin Hall, managing director of Kymin, said: “We want to make sure the first Love Live Music Awards are as memorable as possible for everyone involved. We’re delighted to support the awards and also to have commissioned Sam to make the unique Newport-inspired Cherub winners’ trophies. I can’t wait to see the trophies when they are unveiled for the first time on Sunday at the Neon.”

Newport City Radio managing director Ian Lamsdale said: “Sam’s work will add that extra bit of sparkle to the excitement of these inaugural Love Live Music Awards.”

Monmouthshire Upcycle was formed last year as a branch of a project which started in the Forest of Dean. Alongside the upcycling, it also provides training opportunities for young people and those with disabilities.