2014 Awardee: Drishti Bundhoo

The Dewar Arts Awards has created a wealth of opportunities for me as a young singer and for this I thank you very much. It is an honour and privilege to be supported by this distinguished trust.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2014
AGE AT AWARD: 22
ARTFORMS: , , ,
 
 
TWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/drishtibundhoo

Biography

Drishti Bundhoo is a hard-working and passionate musician whose aim is to connect emotionally to the music she performs and to find her individual voice.

Born in Crosshouse, East Ayrshire, Drishti was brought up in a musical household in Kilmarnock.  Her Mauritius-born mother studied Indian classical music, and has performed and taught in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Drishti’s singing talent was prominent from a very early age. She trained at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland with a scholarship to complete her BMus (Hons) in 2014, and studied Spanish classical music for six months in Andalusia.

An engaging performer, Drishti has given solo recitals around the UK, Spain, India and Germany. Most recent performances have included engagements with Indian composer AR Rahman and the BBCSSO at Celtic Connections in 2014, performance for the UK WW1 Centenary commemoration service at Glasgow Cathedral and solo performances at the Glasgow  2014 Commonwealth Games.

How the Award Helped

Drishti’s award has allowed her to study a Masters at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where she has performed the role of Susanna in Mozart’s opera Le Nozze de Figaro and the role of Tina in Jonathan Dove’s opera Flight.

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The Dewar Arts Awards has created a wealth of opportunities for me as a young singer and for this I thank you very much. It is an honour and privilege to be supported by this distinguished trust.

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2014 Awardee: Paul Devlin

Being part of that creative process is an experience I find both exhilarating and exciting, and one that compares to no other.

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

Biography

Paul is a talented composer with a distinctive voice. Having grown up in Scotland, he gained a First Class Honours Degree in Music from Strathclyde University and recieved their Stone Award for excellence in his composition portfolio.

After graduation, Paul was awarded a commission from Glasgow City Council (on behalf of Glasgow Celtic FC) to compose a piece in remembrance of the Jewish Holocaust. He went on to gain a coveted place to study an MMus in Screen Composition at the Royal College of Music in London.

Paul has a genuine passion for the creative process and the art of taking music from page to performance. He apires to become a professional composer for screen with a broad range of knowledge across many musical styles and genres. His studies at the RCM have provided an invaluable foundation from which to shape his ambitions.

How the Award Helped

Paul received a Dewar Award to support his second year of MMus studies, enabling him to fully benefit from the opportunity to flourish as a composer.

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Being part of that creative process is an experience I find both exhilarating and exciting, and one that compares to no other.

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2014 Awardee: Ian Forbes

I feel tremendously fortunate to be supported with a Dewar Arts Award. Receiving the award has allowed me fulfil my long-time dream, to attend the MA in Cinematography at the National Film and Television School.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2014
AGE AT AWARD: 26
ARTFORMS: , ,
WEBSITE:https://www.ianforbes.co.uk/
EMAIL:i.w.l.forbes@gmail.com
TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/ian_forbes

Biography

Born and brought up in Scotland by an artistic family, Ian is a London-based cinematographer with a passion for image, story and collaboration.  Having studied for his BA Honours at art school in his hometown, Dundee, Ian graduated in 2010 with a 1st class honours.  Over the next two years he built up a portfolio of work across film, animation and a variety of commercial projects, and in 2012 was selected to attend the MA in Cinematography at the National Film and Television School.

Ian has had work screened at numerous festivals including Encounters, Aesthetica and the Glasgow Film Festival.  In 2011 he received an award at Shepparton Shorts Short Film Festival, Australia, and in 2012 was selected by Ideas Tap to make a new film with director Rose Hendry. He has gained a coveted BAFTA Scholarship to support his studies alongside his Dewar Award

How the Award Helped

Ian received a Dewar Award to enable him to continue studying at the prestigious NFTS.

Since the Award

Ian developed his skills and talents through his studies at NFTS. In 2015 was nominated for a New Talent Award by BAFTA Scotland for his Camera/Photography work on Seahorse – a story of a first love and a pregnant boy (see trailer below).

March 2015 – Nominated for a BAFTA Scotland New Talent Award: Camera/Photography, Seahorse

‘Seahorse’ Trailer – Ian Forbes (c) NFTS

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I feel tremendously fortunate to be supported with a Dewar Arts Award. Receiving the award has allowed me fulfil my long-time dream, to attend the MA in Cinematography at the National Film and Television School.

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2014 Awardee: Amy McEntee

I hope to have the opportunity to inspire and support other young Scottish dancers to pursue a career in professional dance.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2014
AGE AT AWARD: 16
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Amy has lived in Scotland all her life.  She began ballet lessons at the age of six, and four years later became a Scottish Ballet Junior Associate.  In 2010 she successfully auditioned for the Dance School of Scotland in Glasgow and began her vocational training.

Whilst in Glasgow, Amy achieved distinction in all her exams in ballet, national and modern dance.  She also studied tap, contemporary and choregraphy alongside sitting her National 5 exams. She gained performance experience in competitions and showcases at key Glasgow venues including the King’s Theatre and the Royal Concert Hall, and represented the Dance School of Scotland at a range of events.

In 2014, aged just 15, Amy secured a place on the BA (Hons) in Professional Dance and Performance at the prestigious Central School of Ballet in London.

How the Award Helped

Amy received a Dewar Award to enable her to study at the Central School of Ballet. She hopes to dance with the school’s touring company, Ballet Central, and to eventually dance for her national company, the Scottish Ballet.

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I hope to have the opportunity to inspire and support other young Scottish dancers to pursue a career in professional dance.

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2014 Awardee: Hayley McSporran

It would not have been possible for me to study a postgraduate course without the help of the Dewar Awards. I'm eternally grateful.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2014
AGE AT AWARD: 22
ARTFORMS: , ,
 
EMAIL:hayleymcsporran@hotmail.co.uk
 

Biography

Hailing from Glasgow, Hayley studied fashion design at Cardonald College for three years before moving to Aberdeen in 2012.  She gained direct entry into the third year of a BA Fashion Design at the Grays School of Art, where she demonstrated maturity and focus in her practice.  In 2014 she graduated with a first class honours degree.

Returning to her home town, Hayley was offered a place to study on the Masters in Fashion and Textlies course at the Glasgow School of Art.

How the Award Helped

Hayley’s Dewar Award allowed her to accept her masters place at the Glasgow School of Art.  This is an advanced skills programme which will allow her to develop and hone her individual ‘design signature’.

On achieving her award, Hayley said:

“Having studied Fashion Design for the past five years, I am more determined than ever to work hard and be a successful fashion designer in the industry.  Undertaking the MDes Fashion and textiles course at Glasgow School of Art is an essential step towards my ambition of eventually having my own fashion label. The course itself is providing me with the perfect platform for progression in development of my work and cementing my own creative design identity.”

Since the Award

Whilst studying on the MDes, Hayley continued to impress with her work and was awarded the John Mather Rising Scholarship Award in 2015. Read more here.

Hidden Utopia AW15 from Joe Hart Creative on Vimeo.

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It would not have been possible for me to study a postgraduate course without the help of the Dewar Awards. I'm eternally grateful.

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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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