15 May 2009
Scottish Talent Continues to Flourish
Since their inauguration in 2002 the Dewar Arts Awards, set up as a memorial to Scotland’s first First Minister, have assisted over 200 young Scots, from all art forms to realise their potential. Past awardees include composer David Fennessy, whose recent work includes Scottish Opera’s Five:15; poet Jen Hadfield, winner of the 2008 TS Eliot poetry prize for Nigh-No-Place, the ‘New Scotsman on the block’ (Vogue) textile and fashion designer Jamie Tetsill; theatre director Daljinder Singh, presently at the Young Vic and winner of the Jerwood Directors Award, actor Sally Reid, presently appearing in Borderline’s production The Ducky and Luke Fowler who has received rave reviews for his exhibition at The Serpentine Gallery, London.
Ruth Wishart, chair of the Dewar Arts Awards said, "Like every other trust fund, the Dewar Arts Awards have been affected by the falling value in the stock exchange. However, despite this making the competition for awards tougher, the trustees continue to be thrilled by the quality of many of the applications and are committed to continuing to support outstanding young Scottish talent."
The latest round of awards have gone to Joseph Young (Alloa) towards the cost of his final year for a BA Hons Acting degree at Guildford School of Acting. From Glasgow, Siobhan Kelly received an award towards an MA in Musical Theatre Performance at RSAMD as did Alan McKendrick to work as Assistant Director at Schaubuehne Theater Berlin to be mentored by Maja Zade. As a writer/director/translator he already has had a number of stage successes including collaborating with the New York ensemble, the Riot Group.
Andrea Harkin (Edinburgh) has received an award towards a Masters in Film Direction at NFTVS. In 2008 she won a BAFTA Scotland New Talent Award for The Flyer and is considered to be one of Scotland’s best developing young female directors. Ania Winiarska (Glasgow) is helped to study for a Masters in Documentary Direction at NFTVS. Recently she has made the well received They Shoot Horses. Don’t They? for the Citizens Community Theatre and Blackout performed at the National Theatre, London and also worked as an independent photographer on Rebus.
The Dewar Arts Awards had assisted Ross McInroy (Arbroath) through his post graduate studies in opera at the Royal Academy of Music, London and this second award will allow him to continue his opera studies at the Benjamin Britten International Opera School. Bass-baritone Ross has worked under Sir Colin Davis in several operas.
An extension award has been given to Maureen McMullen (Coatbridge) to continue a Diploma in Professional Performance at Berklee College of Music in Boston. Maureen has performed at major Scottish music festivals and Tommy Smith describes her as ‘a phenomenal singer (whose) voice…embraces jazz, blues, gospel and soul and transmits emotions like few other singers.’ Maureen’s song-writing abilities were recognised recently by being selected as one of the 12 Berklee finalists to have their music listened to by the legendary Paul Simon.
Aberdeen born Fiona Mackay studied initially at Glasgow School of Art and has already exhibited in Germany, Belgium, Scotland and in London at the prestigious Tim Taylor Gallery. The award is to enable her to take part in a full time residency at the new contemporary Wiels Contemporary Arts Centre, Brussels.
Due to the current financial climate, the trustees have decided to withhold any Daughter of Dewar Awards and the final award has gone to Mairi Campbell (Isle of Skye) to purchase a professional pedal harp. She is currently studying at St. Mary’s Music School, Edinburgh and is a member of the Scottish National Children’s Orchestra.
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