A YOUNGSTER whose artistic talent earned him a scholarship at Ellesmere College is to open his first solo exhibition in his home town of Shrewsbury next month.

'Doodle Boy' Joe Whale, who has taken the USA by storm, will hold the exhibition in Shrewsbury from October 22-31 with a selection of new works.

Joe, 11, joined the College on the scholarship in June and his doodles have already earned him celebrity status in the USA, having appeared on CBS and NBC News, and Little Big Shots, alongside actor Melissa McCarthy.

Joe said: “I am super excited to open my first art exhibition; I live and love art and to be able to share this with the world is amazing.”

“It’s time the UK brought Doodle Boy back closer to home,” added gallery owner Jonathan Soden.

"He’s such a fabulous talent and we all know the USA love runaway success stories, especially in small packages.

"But Joe so much deserves to have his talent recognised and celebrated here in the UK.

"We are honoured that The Soden Collection is able to play a role in helping him achieve that.”

At just eight years old, Joe was an overnight runaway success.

He has several different agents, a two-book deal with Scholastic, his own range of merchandise, a licensing deal with Warner Music and a colouring book out this autumn.

Joe was also commissioned by William and Kate to draw the Royal Train as part of their three-day tour of the UK last year and was invited to speak as a Changemaker ambassador at the Children’s Media Conference in 2021.

"It’s a tiny fraction of the offers he’s actually received,” said dad Greg.

“Joe’s is such a feel-good story. People keep telling me that usually celebrities find it hard to ‘break’ America. With Joe, it’s almost the other way around.

“We have always aimed to open the fine art world up to Joe and his work and to exhibit in Joe’s hometown always seemed the right thing to do – Joe is really excited at the prospect and can’t wait for the launch at Soden Collection.”

For more information contact Jonathan Soden on (07403) 999901