24 June 2024
A Chain of Mayors gathered to endorse the presentation of the first Art Unlimited Young Person’s Bursary which was awarded to Kathryn Conway of Woodroffe School, Lyme Regis, Dorset on Saturday 22nd June 2024 in the Art Unlimited Gallery on South Street, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 3NR. Howard Flanagan, owner of Art Unlimited and initiator of this inaugural Award was joined by Cllr Anne Rickard, Mayor of Bridport and Cllr David Ruffle, Mayor of Lyme Regis to present Kathryn with her Bursary cheque for £2500. Kathryn's family, Richard Vine (Kathryn's art tutor from Woodroffe School), Alex Alsop (Director of Norrsken Windows , sponsor of the Competition's Best in Show Award for 2024) and the Mayors' partners were also in attendance. The Bursary has been funded by entry fees from the 2023 Art Unlimited International Open Art Competition and the generosity of an anonymous donor. This inaugural Award was created to support young student artists within the community and their further education. Howard Flanagan: ‘We are keen to work closely with both schools and colleges as well as the business community in order to foster young talent and develop a platform here in Bridport from which they can shine.’ Students from local schools including Bridport’s Sir John Colfox Academy and Woodroffe School in Lyme Regis were invited to submit a 250-word personal statement stating what this award would mean to their future artistic career. Kathryn’s stood out as this excerpt clearly demonstrates: ‘What this bursary could provide for me is resources to create art and to sell my work as an artist, as well as access to paid-for online courses in addition to my university studies. Having the ability to take further courses would drastically improve my skills, ready for my career as an artist. Having higher skills would also limit competition against me in finding the best jobs, something that is even more important nowadays with the pressure created by AI.’ There was a great feeling in the Gallery at the presentation on Saturday and Cllr Anne Rickard shared it was: 'So good to know young people are being recognised and encouraged in this way [Bursary]. It was heart-warming to witness this happening here in Bridport'. The 2024 Competition is currently open for online submissions until Wednesday 31st July 2024 with this year’s entry fees going towards at least two 2024/25 Bursaries . The Shortlisted artists will be announced on 16th August 2024. An exhibition of all the finalists ’ works will be on display at The Malthouse Gallery, Town Mill, Lyme Regis from 10th – 22nd September 2024.