Our bursary scheme nurtures new talent, but also encourages more established creatives to take the next steps in their career. For every winner we fund participation in Devon Open Studios, which runs every year in September, and the artists are offered support to raise their profile. One bursary winner is selected for The Joanna Radford Award, and will receive a further grant towards materials.
A few years ago, Lucy Bell signed up for a ceramics evening class and immediately became hooked. During the covid lockdown, she bought a pottery wheel and began creating at home. She finds that making provides her with a single point of focus where the mind can’t worry about other things. Lucy has been working with a criminal justice project, using the therapeutic benefits of creating.
Lucy has been collecting seaweed and other natural materials to experiment with surface decoration and creating different textures on her ceramics.
Lucy will be showing her work with other artists at the Clay Yard in Totnes.
Alex Boon has moved away from academia, where he worked in environmental science, and now combines his knowledge of nature with his artistic skills. Alex is passionate about nature journaling – creating his own beautiful nature journals as well as encouraging others to do so. Alex believes in the physical and mental health benefits of engaging with the natural environment and keeping a journal. He is keen to help others get involved through the delivery of workshops and courses that combine nature walks, drawing from nature and studio sessions.
Alex will be showing his work as part of a group of artists at Colyton Artisan Quarter.
Since starting her professional practice in
2018, Alice Clough has focused primarily
on ceramics, installation, and socially
engaged work, which includes the creation
of publications and workshops. In particular, Alice has focused on vessel-forms inspired by her background in archaeology. More recently Alice has been exploring ways to produce saleable work that compliments her continuing research interests, and intends to utilise the Open Studios event to present a new body of work on paper.
Noah Michael Taylor designs and makes furniture, sculpture, artefacts and architectural pieces. Recently, he made the decision to
step away from full-time employment in Arts Education, and is now looking to reinvigorate his creative practice. To support his development he is currently learning new skills, including wax modelling and bronze casting, and has recently invested in a small-scale portable foundry set up. In the future he aims to combine his teaching experience through the delivery of classes in small scale bronze casting and metal sculpture.
The bursaries are aimed at those
Applicants must be based in Devon and a member of the Devon Artist Network. All art forms are considered.
Bursary winners will be expected to engage fully in PR, social media and associated promotion for Devon Open Studios, via Devon Artist Network and their own networks. This will include making themselves available for the photo shoot, training and any media interviews that may arise. Winners will also be asked to complete a short report on their experience after the event.
Application is by email, so please get in touch to be considered for 2024. Please include a CV and letter of up to 500 words, or as an alternative please submit a video or audio format (max. 5 mins) in English or BSL.
Please address the following questions in your application.
1. What aspect of your practice makes you eligible for an Emerging Artist Bursary.
2. What you hope to achieve during Devon Open Studios.
3. How an Emerging Artist Bursary will help you to achieve this.
4. Your professional and artistic objectives for the next two years.
In addition to the above information, you will need to submit three images to support your application (images to be emailed or link provided to a relevant website).
For information about Devon Open Studios and how to register, visit our website: https://devonopenstudios.co.uk
To become a Devon Artist Network member visit our website here: https://devonartistnetwork.co.uk/become-a-member/
