The winner in each year will receive £250 for the purchase of enamelling equipment, have three pages to showcase their work on the BSOE website gallery for 18 months and a feature article of their work on our online magazine.
In addition the winner has membership of the BSOE for 18 months with the opportunity to exhibit in our exhibitions and take part in all events and workshops and 18 months membership of our online community site.
The BSOE selection committee is very pleased to announce that the winner of the New Graduate Award 2010 was Debra Townend. She graduated from the University of Hertfordshire with a BA Honours degree in Applied Arts specializing in jewellery. She took part in New Designers 2010 and recently exhibited in the Kath Libbert Gallery, Saltaire.
Debra first encountered enamel when she attended an evening jewellery course during her second year at university. Although the course only touched on enamelling it was enough to inspire her and for her to realize the creative possibilities enamel could have in her work.
The next opportunity was not until the second semester of her final year when she was able to experiment with torch firing. “It was inspiring being able to make marks on metal. I tried everything I could, scraffito, stenciling, stamping, washes, rubbing back and so on but it was also frustrating. I needed more skills.”
Winning the award will not only enable Debra to buy a kiln and develop her technical skills but as a member of the BSOE and of the online community site with its forum, blogs, articles, technical tips, events and links to publications and organizations, she hopes she can benefit from this association with other artists. She is looking forward to the exchange of information and ideas.
Application forms for 2011 will be available in the spring.
www.enamellers.org
www.webjam.com/bsoecommunity
Hilary Bolton Award secretary