2007 Awardee: Jen Hadfield

I am so very grateful for my Dewar Award. The faith and the funding it represented renewed my faith in my own creative purpose.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 29
ARTFORMS: ,
WEBSITE:https://www.rogueseeds.blogspot.co.uk
EMAIL:jenhadfield@btinternet.com
 

Biography

Jen Hadfield has worked as a professional poet since 2002 when she received a writer’s bursary from the Scottish Arts Council. Her first collection, Almanacs, was published when she was 27 and won first prize in the Society of Authors’ Eric Gregory Awards in 2003.

Her Gregory Award funded an extended reading tour in Canada and the US, during which time she produced her second collection of poetry Nigh-No-Place which is due to be published in early 2008.

She is considered to be one of the brightest and most talented poets of her generation working in Britain. Her work displays verve and panache and her descriptions of landscape and natural forces is quite unique.

A permanent resident of Shetland since 2006, Jen is taking her work in a new direction to bring literature and visual arts together. In 2006 she exhibited at the Peedie Gallery in Orkney, a prototype of the folk-art she intends to develop.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will fund Jen as she realises Nigh-No-Place, a collection of contemporary miniature landscapes of Shetland onto tin and found objects, with text.

Since the Award

Congratulations to Jen for winning the T S Eliot Prize 2008 for Nigh-No-Place. Previous winners of this top poetry prize include Sean O’Brian, Seamus Heaney and Ted Hughes.  Chair of the judges, Andrew Motion, said, “We are absolutely delighted that Jen Hadfield has won this year’s T S Eliot Prize.  Nigh-No-Place shows that she is a remarkably original poet near the beginning of what is obviously going to be a distinguished career.”

Jen writes that, “The Dewar Award represented a green light to put my creative work first for most of a year… I consider the Dewar Award to have marked a crucial stage in my developing confidence as an artist in multiple disciplines.”

Winner of the Edwin Morgan Poetry Prize 2012. Listen to Jen reading her winning poem The Kids here.

Winner of the Highland Book Prize in 2021 for The Stone Age.

Recipient of the Windham-Campbell Prize in 2024.

Jen Hadfield – A Writing Life from Scottish Poetry Library on Vimeo.

Jen Hadfield reads in Grasmere

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I am so very grateful for my Dewar Award. The faith and the funding it represented renewed my faith in my own creative purpose.

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2007 Awardee: Katri Walker

I am absolutely delighted with the trustees' decision, not to mention deeply grateful... I am very excited about making the film and about GI, I know it will be a very challenging and important time for me.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 29
ARTFORMS: ,
WEBSITE:https://www.katriwalker.com
 
 

Biography

Born and brought up in Edinburgh, Katri Walker moved to Glasgow to study for her degree in Fine Art/Sculpture at the Glasgow School of Art. She graduated in 2002 with a first-class honours degree.

Since graduation, Katri has lived and exhibited in Mexico, Finland and Australia. In 2006 she was invited to take part in the Next Wave Festival, with 5 other Scottish artists, as part of the Youth Cultural programme in Melbourne, held at the same time as the Commonwealth Games. In 2005 she returned to Glasgow to pursue a prestigious Master of Fine Art at the GSA

Katri works in a variety of media, including photography, drawing and film and video. Her films are short, direct and, employing tragi-comedy as a tool, she frequently deals with aspects of interpersonal relationships.

Katri has been invited to exhibit in the third Glasgow International 2008 in a joint show with the internationally recognised Spanish artist, Dani Marti. Katri is considered to be one of the best young artists working in Scotland today and expected to become one of the most outstanding artists of her generation.

Her planned exhibit, to create a short film on one of the ancient cultural traditions found in Mexico, won universal support of the trustees.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will go towards the expenses to creating Katri’s exhibit for the Glasgow International 2008.

Since the Award

Katri writes after her duo-exhibition at the 2008 Glasgow International Festival of Contemporary Art, “The public outcome of my project .. has been a really important step in my career. The response [to the duo-exhibition] was overwhelmingly positive, not only from the public but the media also.”

Katri subsequently undertook a 3-month residency in Perth, Australia and exhibited there in early 2009.

Katri features in our 10th Anniversary Exhibition at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh.

Rapture [extract] from Katri Walker on Vimeo.

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I am absolutely delighted with the trustees' decision, not to mention deeply grateful... I am very excited about making the film and about GI, I know it will be a very challenging and important time for me.

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2007 Awardee: Paul Wright

I would like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere gratitude for this generous support…. I am forever grateful.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 26
ARTFORMS: ,
WEBSITE:https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3591467/
 
 

Biography

Paul is considered to be one of the most exciting filmmakers of his generation.

Brought up in Fife, Paul moved to Edinburgh to begin studying film and photography, where he quickly developed a passion for filmmaking. He went on to study film at Glasgow’s RSAMD, where his abilities stood out.

His film ‘Hikikomori’ (cinematographer: fellow Dewar Arts awardee David Liddell) received many plaudits, including a BAFTA nomination for Best Short Film, a BAFTA Scotland win for ‘Best New Work’ and a clutch of other Best Drama and Best Fiction Film awards.  It also caught the eye of the NFTS, Beaconsfield, and Paul was offered a place on their MA in Directing Fiction course.

Through the production and post-production of ‘Hikikomori’ Paul demonstrated the essential discipline required to become a great filmmaker and story-teller, knowing how to tell a story well and balance all the elements of the film to serve the central idea. Paul has already impressed as a filmmaker who is sincerely interested in his art and its possibilities as well as in the world around him and in emotional truth. His is a name to remember.

How the Award Helped

Paul received a Dewar Arts Award to help him pursue an MA in Directing Fiction at the NFTS, Beaconsfield.

Since the Award

Paul successfully graduated from NFTS with an MA in Directing Fiction. While there, he made a number of short films, one of which ‘Believe’ (cinematographer: former Dewar Arts awardee, Benjamin Kracun) has already won four prestigious film festival awards as well as a special mention at three further international film festivals. His equally stunning film short ‘Until the River Runs Red’ is tipped for similar success.

Paul has signed to Casarotto Ramsay, one of the UK’s most respected film agents, and is developing his debut feature with Zentropa Films. In an article on the state of the British film industry, Paul was described as simply “the future of the British Film Industry.” He writes, “Quite simply without The Dewar Arts Award I would not financially have been able to take my place on the course and I am eternally grateful for your help during this important time in my career.”

In 2011, Paul’s film ‘Until the River Runs Red’ won the BAFTA Best Short Film. Congratulations, Paul!

In 2013, Paul’s debit feature film ‘For Those in Peril’ received excellent reviews and was screened at Cannes Film Festival. It has since gone on to gain a Scottish BAFTA and a nomination for Outstanding Debut at the UK BAFTAs.

Until the River Runs Red

Interview at the BAFTAs

For Those in Peril

Review in Variety Magazine

Feature in The Independent

Film details on IMDB

Paul Wright Interview: ‘For Those in Peril’ at Cannes Film Festival

Paul Wright Interview: ‘For Those in Peril’ at Edinburgh International Film Festival

Paul Wright Interview: ‘Until the River Runs Red’ at The BAFTAs

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I would like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere gratitude for this generous support…. I am forever grateful.

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2006 Awardee: Michael Turner

YEAR OF AWARD: 2006
AGE AT AWARD: 11
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

At the time of winning the award, Michael is the current under-12 All-Britain Slow Air Champion, and has won numerous other traditional music competitions. He has played at Celtic Connections, Fiddle 2004 and 2005, Ar Ais Aris in Buncrana, Co. Donegal and other Irish and Scottish traditional music showcases.

Glasgow-born Michael started playing the fiddle at the age of four. As both his older brothers are also keen traditional musicians Michael was exposed to traditional music from a young age. He quickly demonstrated his natural talent and flair for music.

Michael has above average artistic talent and potential for his age and the right temperament to perform on stage. He is one of the best musicians in his age group and has the talent, commitment and enthusiasm to go far. His aim is to become a professional musician, but needs an instrument to match his talent in order to progress.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Awards has enabled Michael to buy a Rab Cherry fiddle.

Since the Award

Michael writes that since receiving his new fiddle his standard of playing has vastly improved. He has since won a clutch of medals in duet, trio, ceilidh band and other group competitions. The achievements he particularly cherishes are winning the All-Scotland Solo Slow Air competition followed by coming 3rd in the British Championships in the 12-15 age group. In 2009 he came first in the Scottish Fiddle Solo competition and then 3rd in the British Championships again. Other highlights of the year were supporting fellow Dewar Arts Awardees, Kathleen Boyle and Lauren McColl, with his group Southside Fiddlers.

Michael says that thanks to his new fiddle, his musical ability and love for music have increased dramatically.

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2007 Awardee: Alana Florence

I’d like to thank the trustees for presenting me with the award. This is a wonderful opportunity for my design ideas to flourish in the extravagant city of London.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 23
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Aberdeen-based Alana is considered to be a talented artist who is able to take ordinary objects or figures and transform them on paper or fabric into something extraordinary. She describes herself as “a quirky colourful individual who flourished in the quiet country.”
A graduate of Gray’s School of Art where she studied textile and surface design, Alana’s tutors considered her to be an exciting student to teach. She has innovative and fresh ideas and possesses a highly individual and imaginative use of colour. Her final show at university stood out amongst a group of high-quality students.

Alana was delighted to be accepted onto the MA course in Textile Futures at Central St Martin’s in London and describes her aims on the course to ‘create something extraordinary and challenging.’ She aims to bring ‘fabric to life with outbursts of colour, pattern and quirky illustrations.’ After graduation she sold a collection of her works to an Aberdeen boutique and exhibited in the Wallace Gallery in London.

Alana is one of a growing number of Scottish textile designers supported by a Dewar Arts Award to develop their terrific creativity. Central St Martin’s is the place to study fashion and is extremely difficult to gain entry.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will provide financial assistance for Alana to pursue an MA in Textile Futures at Central St Martin’s in London.

Since the Award

Alana writes that an integral part of her course was to understand how science and design can be combined, which led to her designing a moving toothbrush which speaks the words ‘up’ and ‘down’. After successfully graduating with an MA in Textile Futures Alana plans to develop her ideas of pop-up wallpaper and kinetic textiles for fashion and interiors.

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I’d like to thank the trustees for presenting me with the award. This is a wonderful opportunity for my design ideas to flourish in the extravagant city of London.

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2007 Awardee: Alasdair Beatson

It is with enormous pleasure and gratitude that I write to [you] to express my thanks for this incredible support and opportunity.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 27
ARTFORMS: ,
WEBSITE:https://www.alasdairbeatson.com/
 
 

Biography

Although Perth’s Alasdair Beatson is the first classical musician in his family, our guess is that with an aunt who was a member of the 70’s iconic pop group ‘New Seekers’, musical star quality is in his genes.

Alasdair is a stellar pianist. He began his musical tuition at the Aberdeen Music School, where he won a scholarship. At the age of 18, he went to the Royal College of Music as a Foundation Scholar and four years’ later continued his studies at Indiana University with the famous pianist Menahem Pressler. Along the way, he has won a clutch of prestigious prizes, including the Making Music Award for Young Artist and 2nd prize in the China Shanghai International Piano Competition and has performed with some of the world’s top musicians and ensembles.

Alasdair is one of the two most talented students his music tutor at RCM has encountered, and his playing is considered to be inspirational. He writes of Alasdair, “I have never heard him give a performance which was not memorable and arresting, casting new light on the repertoire.” Working at the highest professional level, Alasdair needs permanent access to a piano that will allow him to explore and develop his playing. He is expected to become one of the great pianists on the international stage.

For more information about Alasdair, see www.alasdairbeatson.com.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award made a substantial contribution towards the purchase of a piano.

Since the Award

Sometime later, Alasdair writes that “it is no exaggeration to say that receiving the Dewar Arts Award felt like the unlocking of a new chapter in my life.” Since buying a new practice piano, Alasdair has released his debut solo CD, given solo recitals in Wigmore Hall, toured as a concerto soloist with the Scottish Ensemble , and in chamber music worked alongside Alison Balsom, Jennifer Pike, Pekka Kuusisto, Nicholas Daniel, Thomas Carroll, and the Doric String Quartet. Alasdair is a concert pianist, both as a soloist and a chamber musician.

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It is with enormous pleasure and gratitude that I write to [you] to express my thanks for this incredible support and opportunity.

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2007 Awardee: Alasdair Henderson

“I am absolutely delighted and privileged to have been selected to receive an award.”

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 18
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Although still only in the first year of his degree in Scottish Music (piping) at the RSAMD, Alasdair is, according to his mentor, a big piping talent ready to burst out in all directions. Currently he is a member of the pipers’ “boy band” TNT (The New Tradition) which recently won a recording contract with Greentrax records.

Alasdair began to learn piping at the age of eleven. He was first taught by his uncle and now he is taught by the renowned Major Gavin Stoddart. He quickly showed huge potential by winning a Mod gold medal and becoming the National Piping Centre overall junior champion and the Scottish Junior Champion.

Alasdair plays with the ScottishPower Pipe Band as well as TNT. In 2007 he won a Danny Kyle Award at Celtic Connections. He is considered to be amongst a handful of the most talented young pipers in Scotland today.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award enabled Alasdair to buy a set of Fred Morrison border/reel pipes.

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“I am absolutely delighted and privileged to have been selected to receive an award.”

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2007 Awardee: Alasdair Spratt

"Many thanks to all at the Dewar Arts Awards for the generous award made."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD:
ARTFORMS: , ,
 
 
 

Biography

Glasgow-born Alasdair Spratt is a composer and pianist. Alasdair won the Philharmonia Prize for composition in 2004.

How the Award Helped

Alasdair’s Dewar Arts Award supported him in completing his PhD studies.

Since the Award

Alasdair received his PhD in 2008. He is now an active musician and educationalist.

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"Many thanks to all at the Dewar Arts Awards for the generous award made."

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2007 Awardee: Alexa Beattie

I am extremely excited about my successful nomination and would like to gratefully accept my Dewar Award.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 28
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Edinburgh-born Alexa Beattie grew up in North Berwick and was a pupil at St Mary’s Music School. She graduated from the School with the Isobel Dunlop Prize for Service and the Leonard Friedman Chamber Music Prize, signalling a bright future for herself as a violist.

Throughout her further musical education, Alexa won a number of scholarships in recognition of her unique talent. In 2007 she won a place on the San Francisco Conservatory’s Artist’s Certification in Chamber Music programme, as one of only three successful applicants. The collaborative nature of the programme means that Alexa will perform regularly with members of the faculty, who already rate her very highly as an engaging and intelligent performer. Whilst in San Francisco, Alexa has championed contemporary Scottish music, for which she has been awarded a scholarship by the St Andrew’s Society of Scotland in Washington D.C. in recognition of her efforts.

Alexa’s ultimate ambition is to perform chamber music internationally at the highest professional level within ensemble contexts and as a solo performer. Her interests range from classical repertoire to contemporary works. One of her long-term projects is to record contemporary Scottish viola repertoire. Alexa is in the final stage of her studies and is set to make her mark on the international stage as a thoughtful, sensitive and dedicated musician.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award is helping to finance Alexa’s studies at the San Francisco Conservatory.

Since the Award

Alexa writes, “The Dewar Award came at the perfect time. The unique Chamber Music Programme in San Francisco has been extremely powerful in my development as a performer. I believe myself to be a significantly different and infinitely stronger player than when I began the programme. The previous year has been a tremendous confidence boost. My ability to trust myself on stage is far greater. I also believe that the American approach to string playing technique has been a large part of this development.”

After successfully obtaining the Artist’s Certificate in Chamber Music at the San Francisco Conservatory, Alexa was offered the Chamber Music Assistantship at the Conservatory for 2009.

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I am extremely excited about my successful nomination and would like to gratefully accept my Dewar Award.

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2007 Awardee: Alfredo Caponetto

By means of this award a window has been opened for me and has given me the concrete opportunity to complete my PhD education as the best provision for the journey of life.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 28
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

For Mexican-Italian, Alfredo Caponnetto, ‘music is my life’.

Alfredo came to Edinburgh University a year and a half ago after studying composition in Italy. Building on his Italian studies in contemporary music, he has developed an exciting synthesis of his highly-approachable tonal style and a more experimental music. His mentors at Edinburgh University say of him that his work shows the emergence of a true and distinctive compositional talent.

Alfredo is now pursuing a PhD in composition at Edinburgh University. Music commissions to emerging composers are now very rare, and a PhD is becoming the established route for composers to gain experience in their art. The focus of Alfredo’s PhD will be to create links between the Renaissance counterpoint tradition and contemporary music. He writes, “I strongly believe that the combination of the clear lines of Renaissance counterpoint with the exceptionally broad writing techniques found in contemporary music could help develop the inventive language of music in the 21st century.”

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will support Alfredo for the three years of his PhD.

Since the Award

In November 2012, Alfredo was awarded the degree of PhD in Music Composition from Edinburgh University. During his PhD years, Alfredo co-founded both the Edinburgh Contemporary Music Ensemble, for the promotion of contemporary music, and Europe Edition Ltd., a publisher of new works by contemporary composers. He also set up a relationship between the Santa Cecilia Conservatoire in Rome and the historically-significant St Cecilia’s Hall in Edinburgh. His PhD supervisor says his submission is of the very highest quality which has more than fulfilled his early promise. Alfredo writes that the Dewar Arts Award allowed him to take a huge leap forward in his musical career.

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By means of this award a window has been opened for me and has given me the concrete opportunity to complete my PhD education as the best provision for the journey of life.

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