2014 Awardee: Pierce Meehan

Without my degree I am unable to receive the training that I require to become the best dance artist I can be.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2014
AGE AT AWARD: 25
ARTFORMS:
 
 
 

Biography

Hailing from Dumbartonshire, Pierce worked a number of jobs to support himself through his education.  Whilst studying as an undergraduate, he made the courageous decision to leave university and follow his calling in dance. He went on to complete a two year course at Glasgow Clyde College and gained a place to study a dance degree programme at the London Studio Centre. His ambition is to perform in the West End.

Pierce has the combination of talent, passion and determination necessary to pursue a career in his chosen field, and has even hosted his own fundraising events to support his studies. However, without additional support he found he would be unable to complete his degree.

How the Award Helped

Pierce received a Dewar Award to help him complete his undergraduate studies in Theatre Dance.

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Without my degree I am unable to receive the training that I require to become the best dance artist I can be.

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2014 Awardee: Kim Norrie

I feel that being submerged in the heart of the British design industry is the best place for me to develop and learn my craft whilst continuing my education at the Royal College of Art. I am hugely grateful and honored to receive a Dewar Arts Award.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2014
AGE AT AWARD: 22
ARTFORMS: ,
WEBSITE:https://www.kimnorrie.co.uk/
EMAIL:kimnorrie.co.uk@gmail.com
TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/CoKimNorrie

Biography

Kim is a Scottish textile designer raised in the small town of Kirriemuir in Angus. She lived and studied in Aberdeen for four years where she achieved a First class BA (Hons) in Textile and Surface Design.

Having spent a year as Graduate in Residence at Grays School of Art, Kim held various workshops for textile students and gave one-on-one tuition.  She then went on to gain a place on the MA in Textiles at the Royal College of Art, London.

Kim’s work is greatly inspired by relationships with people and places she has felt connected to.  She received a great response at her undergraduate degree show where she won the Design in Action Award for Commercial Poetical, and again at New Designers 2013 where she won the New Designers Christy Carpets Association Prize.

In addition to her Dewar Award, Kim was also awarded a QEST scholarship to support her masters studies. Her ambition is to establish her own brand within the British textile industry, whilst continuing to support the learning and development of others.

How the Award Helped

Kim received a Dewar Award to support her studies on the MA in Textiles at the Royal College of Art.

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I feel that being submerged in the heart of the British design industry is the best place for me to develop and learn my craft whilst continuing my education at the Royal College of Art. I am hugely grateful and honored to receive a Dewar Arts Award.

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2014 Awardee: Danielle Donnelly

Singing, dancing and acting are my passions and I will strive to be the very best I can.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2014
AGE AT AWARD: 22
ARTFORMS:
 
 
 

Biography

A talented actress, dancer and vocalist, Danielle has developed her abilities from a very young age.  Beginning her studies in dance at 3 years old and singing since primary school, Danielle applied herself throughout her upbringing in Scotland.  She went on to study musical theatre in Glasgow and gained an A-grade HNC and HND.

In 2014 she gained a Dance and Drama Award to study at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in London.  This offered Danielle her dream opportunity to pursue her ambitions to perform in the West End.

How the Award Helped

Danielle’s award enabled her to accept her place to study at Italia Conti, and continue to develop her skills and aspirations in musical theatre.

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Singing, dancing and acting are my passions and I will strive to be the very best I can.

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2014 Awardee: Martin Quinn

It is no exaggeration to say that I would find it impossible to train at Guildhall without the support of the Dewar Arts Award. Needless to say, I am very grateful!

YEAR OF AWARD: 2014
AGE AT AWARD: 19
ARTFORMS: , ,
 
 
 

Biography

A proud Scottish actor, Martin grew up in the Gallowhill area of Paisley, where he was a member of drama groups from the age of six.  From early beginnings at his local youth theatre PACE, Martin went on to attend the Scottish Youth Theatre (SYT).

Through the SYT, Martin gained experience in devising and performing interactive shows for children and also auditioned for the National Theatre of Scotland’s production of Let the Right One In. He landed the lead role of Oskar and went on to perform at the Dundee Rep, the Royal Court Theatre and the Apollo Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue.

Whilst performing in the West End, Martin auditioned for drama school and gained a place at the illustrious Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

How the Award Helped

Martin was granted an award to support his studies at Guildhall, where at the outset he reported:

“This training is really pushing me out of my comfort zone and forcing me to take on new challenges such as Shakespeare and eventually TV and Radio modules. It will equip me with the vocal skills and physical fitness necessary for a varied career as well as building up my confidence so that I can enter the industry with the strongest skillset I am capable of. Only a few months in and already I can see how this three year course should make me ultimately more attractive to employers.”

Let the Right One In – National Theatre of Scotland

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It is no exaggeration to say that I would find it impossible to train at Guildhall without the support of the Dewar Arts Award. Needless to say, I am very grateful!

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2014 Awardee: Kari Robertson

The generosity of the trustees allowed me to accept a place on an amazing masters programme and continues to give me the space and support I need to develop my practice further.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2014
AGE AT AWARD: 26
ARTFORMS:
WEBSITE:https://vimeo.com/user7339246/videos
 
 

Biography

Kari Robertson has repeatedly shown her excellence as an artist working in sculpture and video. Born and brought up in Edinburgh, Kari moved to Glasgow in 2007 to undertake a BA in Fine Art Painting and Printmaking at the Glasgow School of Art. She graduated with first class honours in 2011, and since then has participated in a number of solo and group exhibitions that demonstrate the depth of her practice.

Kari was one of the original founders of The Pipe Factory gallery and studios. She served two years on the committee at Transmission Gallery before being awarded an NU Graduate Residency and solo show at Flat Time House, London. She went on to undertake a residency at Hospitalfield House in Arbroath and was shortlisted for the Margaret Tait Award.

How the Award Helped

In 2014, Kari was offered a place to study a masters course in Fine Art at the prestigious Piet Zwart Institut in Rotterdam. Her Dewar Award enabled her to accept this opportunity.

Press Image Self Evident Truths Belong to Bourgeois Philosophy 2013
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The generosity of the trustees allowed me to accept a place on an amazing masters programme and continues to give me the space and support I need to develop my practice further.

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2014 Awardee: Donald Robinson

To be invited by Professor Baillie to study with him in Bremen is a wonderful opportunity for me and I am so grateful to the Dewar Arts Awards for making it possible.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2014
AGE AT AWARD: 17
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Glaswegian cellist Donald Robinson is one of Scotland’s most gifted young musicians.  His extraordinary talent and and unique creativity extends to both his playing and his composition.

Donald studied at the Douglas Music Academy and has won prizes in the Glasgow Music Festival for solo, chamber and orchestral work.  As the Principal Cello in the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland, he took part in projects with NYOS Futures and NYOS Camerata as well as collaborations with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra at the Proms.

In 2013, Donald made his concerto debut at the Perth Concert Hall playing the Saint-Saens Piano Concerto with the NYOS Juniors. He has also performed as part of the Sphere Concert Series in Glasgow with pianist Julia Lynch (see below).

Donald is tipped to become one of his generation’s most important musical ambassadors.

How the Award Helped

Donald’s Dewar Award enabled him to attend the Hochschule fur Kunste in Bremen where he was offered a place to study with the eminent cellist Alexander Baillie.

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To be invited by Professor Baillie to study with him in Bremen is a wonderful opportunity for me and I am so grateful to the Dewar Arts Awards for making it possible.

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2014 Awardee: Jamie Kane

"The opportunity to take part in the programme at Rupert allowed me the time, space and support to realise a large body of new work, and marks a major development in my practice. I would not have been able to have this experience without the support of the Dewar Arts Awards."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2014
AGE AT AWARD: 25
ARTFORMS:
WEBSITE:https://www.jamiekane.berta.me/
 
 

Biography

Born in Inverness, artist Jamie Kane moved to Glasgow in 2008.  After studying at the Mackintosh School of Architecture, he went on to gain a degree from the GSA’s Department of Sculpture & Environmental Art.

During his time in Glasgow, Jamie exhibited at the Glasgow Project Rooms, Transmission, Universal Studios, and at the Zentrum für Kunst und Urbanistik in Berlin.  In 2013 he was selected for a graduate residency at Hospitalfield House and in 2014 acted as a committee member for the Pipe Factory.

An extremely talented and motivated artist, Jamie has demonstrated clear ambition to engage in his professional development.

In 2014, he succesfully underwent a rigorous selection process and was offered a place on the Alternative Educational Programme at Rupert Arts & Education Centre, Lithuania. This dynamic centre provides the opportunity for young artists to pursue their self-directed practice, but with mentoring and support from an impressive selection of international artists, curators and critics working at the highest level.

https://vimeo.com/jamiekane

How the Award Helped

Jamie received a Dewar Arts Award to support him in developing his practice at the Rupert Arts & Education Centre.

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"The opportunity to take part in the programme at Rupert allowed me the time, space and support to realise a large body of new work, and marks a major development in my practice. I would not have been able to have this experience without the support of the Dewar Arts Awards."

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2014 Awardee: Jamie O’Rourke

"The Dewar Arts Award has helped me with financial constraints which otherwise may have prevented me from entering into study and enjoying all the benefits that entails."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2014
AGE AT AWARD: 24
ARTFORMS: , ,
WEBSITE:https://www.jamieorourke.net/
EMAIL:jamieorourke@live.co.uk
TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/jamieborourke

Biography

Born in Falkirk, Jamie took an interest in theatre and performing arts from a young age.   He began in amateur theatre and moved up the ranks to assistant director before working with local companies.  At the age of 18 he founded his own company, Project Theatre, and took on the roles of Artistic Director, Producer and Productions Director.

Jamie has acted as Secretary of the Falkirk District Arts and Civic Council and has won a number of awards for services to drama and young people, including the Young Scot Award, Falkirk Civic Award and the Young Personality of the Year Award.  He has worked as a voluntary manager of local heritage ghost walks and is a founder of Scottish Community Arts – an organisation that works to promote and provide publicity for amateur and community organisations across Scotland.

In 2014, Jamie was accepted onto the BA Contemporary Performance Practice course at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.  This enabled him to continue his studies and develop the skills necessary to achieve his ambitions as an arts professional.

How the Award Helped

Jamie received a Dewar Arts Award to support his studies at the RCS.

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"The Dewar Arts Award has helped me with financial constraints which otherwise may have prevented me from entering into study and enjoying all the benefits that entails."

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2014 Awardee: Chloe McClean

My passion for highland dance is not only with the actual performance but also in its rich history. When I look into my future I cannot imagine a life without dance.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2014
AGE AT AWARD: 14
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Hailing from Edinburgh, Chloe is an ambitious and dedicated highland dancer.  Her exceptional talent and natural ability has earned her many championship titles including United Kingdom Champion (two years running), East of Scotland Champion (three times), West of Scotland Champion, North of Scotland Champion and All England Champion.  In 2013, she was the only Scottish dancer from her age division to qualify for the Word Highland Dancing Championships, putting her in the top 20 dancers aged under 16 in the world.

Chloe has a passion for the origins of highland dance, and the associated legends and stories. She hopes to one day establish her own dance school and instill the passion and pride she has for the heritage of highland dance in future generations of dancers.

How the Award Helped

Chloe’s award enabled her to continue training and competing in traditional Scottish dance.

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My passion for highland dance is not only with the actual performance but also in its rich history. When I look into my future I cannot imagine a life without dance.

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2014 Awardee: Peter Keenan

YEAR OF AWARD: 2014
AGE AT AWARD: 25
ARTFORMS: ,
WEBSITE:https://www.peterkeenan.co.uk/
 
TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/peter_keenan

Biography

Having lived in Scotland since he was two years old, Peter studied composition at St Mary’s Music School before reading music at the University of York, It was during his time at York that he had his first conducting opportunities. In his final year, Peter was Music Director of the University of York Opera Society, with whom he conducted a staged production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute.

Peter has studied with William Conway and Garry Walker, and has attended courses with Peter Stark. In recent years he has focused his conducting activities towards opera, and has acted as Assistant Music Director to William Conway with Edinburgh Studio Opera. He has worked on Strauss’ Die Fledermaus (2014) and The Magic Flute (2015), and looks forward to returning for Bizet’s Carmen in 2016.

In 2014 Peter founded Opera dei Lumi, who gave their company debut with Mozart’s Così fan tutte to great acclaim. They have since received commendation for concert performances of Le Nozze di Figaro in Berwick Festival Opera and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

How the Award Helped

Peter’s Dewar Award enabled him to explore his fascination with Mozart’s operas, by undertaking a research degree at the University of Glasgow.

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