TWO Manchester artists have won a coveted arts award with a 2.5-meter chandelier made from lost earrings.

Lauren Sagar, along with fellow artist Sharon Campbell, created The Chandelier of Lost Earrings from over 3,000 single earrings donated by owners who have lost the other half of the pair.

It has been voted the Best Arts project in this year’s National Lottery Awards, the annual search for the UK’s favourite Lottery-funded projects.

Glass artists Sharon and Lauren,who work together as Sagar and Campbell and who are based at Rogue Artists Studios in Manchester, had the idea for the project after talking to staff at St Mary’s Hospital in Manchester about how people respond positively to art installations.

They invited women to contribute an earring and a letter explaining the story behind how they lost one of the pair.

The chandelier is currently on display in Towneley Hall in Burnley before going on a tour around the country.

Jewellery designer Jade Jagger, who presented the award at Towneley Hall, said: “The Chandelier of Lost Earrings is a stunning artwork that speaks to people visually and emotionally.

"Thanks to National Lottery funding, Lauren and Sharon were able to create a piece of art that is incredible to look at, and reflects the rich tapestry of life through the many stories associated with the earrings. 

"I feel proud to present the award to Lauren; her and Sharon very much deserve this recognition.”

Lauren, who will share the award and £2,000 cash prize with Sharon,  said she was delighted to have won the trophy and thanked the public for their support.

She said: “To win the Award and meet Jade in one day was fantastic.

"We really put our all in to campaigning hard for votes and I’m delighted it has paid off and that other people have been as touched by the stories behind the chandelier as we have.

"We are so grateful to National Lottery players, without your funding we wouldn’t have been able to create the chandelier and discover the touching tales from the wonderful women who donated earrings. This award is shared with all of you.”

One of the first women to contribute an earring to the chandelier was also at Towneley Hall. Jean Pearson has over 150 pairs of earrings and says that they remind her of happy times with her late husband, who passed away this year.

She said: “My earrings are so much more than just jewellery; they bring back memories of my husband.”

“The Chandelier of Lost Earrings seemed like such a perfect idea. I could happily let my earring go and know that it was part of something much bigger and meaningful to the community of women as a whole.”

Lauren and Sharonreceived £9,500 of National Lottery funding through Arts Council England.

Their work will be celebrated on The National Lottery Stars on BBC One on Friday 19 September at 10.30pm.