Arts Council NI: Rosemary James Memorial Trust Award
Overview
This award is directed at makers steeped in practice using materials singly or in combination. Such materials might include fired clay or glass; fine or base metals; textiles using any kinds of applications; wood; plastics; paper or other materials not included in this list, where the emphasis is based upon the transformation of materials through the use of sustained practice towards a series of critical outcomes.
It aims to assist makers to investigate and develop a body of work which would otherwise be unaffordable.
The period of the award will culminate in an exhibition of work on public display in Northern Ireland.
What is funded?
The main thrust is to be directed towards the body of work but may also provide assistance towards:
- Travel abroad to pursue additional skills, training or research
- Residencies/Master classes
- Research(materials, technology, practices)
- Collaboration with makers and artists in other disciplines
Previous Winners
Silversmith Stuart Cairns received the bursary in 2014 using the funds to enable him to extend and develop his practice through an extended period of regular research and investment into new equipment. The bursary enabled Stuart to produce a new body of work, for exhibiting locally, nationally and internationally, which explored landscape, process and object through the reinterpretation of domestic forms.
Glass artist, Scott Benefield was the second recipient of the bursary in 2015. Scott used the funding to develop a series of works using hand-blown glass and cabinetry, travelling to the Creative Glass Centre of America for a six-week residency to research and develop his ideas and elements of his technique. This was followed by a week’s study in Venice before bringing the learning back to his studio in Randalstown. The project will culminate in an exhibition of hand-blown glass and cabinetry in the UK and Northern Ireland.