People are being given the chance to vote for a piece of art created by talented teens from the Newtown area that they would like to see made full size.

Eight young artists have had their pieces shortlisted and the public have been asked to celebrate their achievements with an exhibition at Newtown Library throughout January.

Mid Wales Arts said: "To mark the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Owen, the famous social reformer who was born and died in Newtown, young people in the area were invited to join Mid Wales Arts (MWA) Sculpteen summer 21 programme to create sculpture that would reflect his spirit, energy and legacy.

"They were supported by members of the MWA team, Sculpture Cymru and the Robert Owen Museum. We were able to do this thanks to support from the Arts Council of Wales and the Oriel Davies Gallery.

"We have selected a final eight pieces and ask the public to celebrate the achievements of these talented young people by voting for the piece they would like to see made full size."

The eight shortlisted pieces include a broken man made of clay, ceramic hands, dancers and the supernatural.

Twenty local young people aged 11 to 18 were introduced to a wide range of sculpture, materials and techniques over four weeks during the summer. They were taught how to approach a three-dimensional challenge, with quick sketching sessions, making small models, making armatures to support their work and how to scale up.

The Caersws-based art centre added: "They had a talk by the Robert Owen Museum and we discussed his legacy, how he managed to influence society, what sort of man he was, what issues he might want to change now and how we could interpret his ideas to improve today's world."

Textile factory owner Robert Owen was born in Newtown on May 14, 1771. He is world famous for wanting to make a fairer society by improving the working and living conditions of his workers, and his work led to the development of the co-operative movement.