The Société is welcoming applications for its long-running Art & Architecture Scholarships, which provide funding for Jersey students pursuing creative endeavours.
Having extended the deadline until 31st July, the Société is looking for applications from Jersey students of art, painting, sculpture, architecture, photography or film or another closely related subject to receive funding awards of up to £2,000.
As the organisation celebrates 100 years of the Barreau Art Scholarship, an award to assist with the study of fine art in the form of painting, sculpture, architecture, photography or film, I sat down with recent recipients of the bursary to find out about the difference it made for their careers.
Recent graduate of the Royal College of Art and Averil Picot Award Winner in 2023, Victor Guérin is a sculptor and painter whose work examines the complexity of human consciousness and natural ecosystems.
He creates ambiguous sculptural forms that evoke varied interpretations, all of which relate directly to nature and promote a personal connection with the environment.
Victor described the award as being “a valuable support that helped ease some financial pressure while living and studying in London.”
He continued: “I’m very grateful for this assistance, as it allowed me to focus more on my creative work. In the past year, I have been able to exhibit many times, which has significantly contributed to my growth and visibility as an artist.”
This sentiment was echoed by fellow Averil Picot 2023 Winner Grace Mason who has just completed her Art Foundation course and has a place to pursue further studies at Leeds Beckett University. Grace is a painter who currently has work in the Art Market Exhibition at Horizon Jersey.
Of winning the Société scholarship, Grace commented: “The bursary has helped me with my art by allowing me to be capable of funding all my paints and equipment needed to produce my artwork which are all very expensive. It has allowed me to do my art to my fullest potential which has made it more enjoyable.
“I would say to somebody who was considering applying that they should definitely try apply because it was extremely helpful to me financially as I have not much other support.”
For another Averil Picot winner, Dani Esteves, the grant has allowed her to make the most of her first year of studying Fine Art at Brighton. Describing her course so far, Dani said: “Each week we had different workshops where they would teach us different techniques such as metal work, woodwork, dark room for photography and many more. Brighton is a great place to study art as well!”
Speaking about the difference the bursary made in her life as an art student, Dani added: “The Société has been extremely helpful in progressing my portfolio and artistic techniques. In my portfolios I sent over, I was able to afford to buy a lino print set, watercolours, an embroidery set and modelling clay which wouldn’t be possible without their financial support.
“As an art student you unfortunately need to buy all your supplies so often your artistic development is affected by your financial situation.”
The fourth winner of the Averil Picot in 2023 was Tom Parker who was studying for a master’s in Printmaking at the Royal College of Art and has just been awarded a commendation from the Printmakers Council for his work in the Print degree show.
Last year’s winner of the Barreau Award was Architecture student Yves Turmel who has also just completed a master’s degree after studying for two years in Stockholm. Yves has recently had some work experience at a Jersey architecture firm which he said he is “really enjoying” and is “learning more and applying my trade in a local context.”
Speaking about the impact the Barreau Award had when it came to supporting his studies, Yves said: “The bursary helped me greatly by giving me the opportunity to spend money on software but primarily to travel in order to visit and study buildings that were of interest to me, and this is incredibly valuable.”
When asked what he would say to anyone considering applying to the scholarships, Yves replied: “You have nothing to lose in applying and, if successful, it can offer much more freedom in your studies to explore paths that may have otherwise not been open.”
2024 is a special commemorative year for the Barreau Award as it marks 100 years since it was founded. This Scholarship fund dates back to 1924 when Miss A E Barreau provided the funds to establish and endow an Art Gallery at the Société Jersiaise Museum (the Barreau Le Maistre Gallery at Jersey Museum) and also an Art Scholarship for the benefit of Jersey students.
An exciting project will be embarked upon to research the history of the fund and its award winners over the last 100 years, and an exhibition will be held at the Jersey Arts Centre in May 2025. In addition, a publication of the research will be produced, and the 100th Award winner from 2024 will be highlighted as part of the celebrations.
Applications for both awards are only open for 2024 until 31st July.
For more information about the awards and more details about how to apply, click here.
