VACMA Argyll & Bute 2021 Recipients Announced

CHARTS are delighted to announce the recipients of the 2021 Visual Artist and Craft Makers Awards for Argyll & Bute. 

Established by Creative Scotland, VACMA is a programme of small grants delivered with a range of local authorities, charitable trusts and art agencies across Scotland to support visual artists and craft makers in their creative and professional development. In Argyll & Bute, bursaries were recently awarded to visual artists Gwen Fleming, Hannah Boaden, Lizzie Rose, Sharon Hiley, Alicia Hendrick, bookbinder Toben Lewis, and multidisciplinary artist Valerie O'Regan. VACMA Argyll & Bute 2021 is funded through a partnership between Argyll and Bute Council and Creative Scotland and supported by CHARTS.

VACMA bursary winner Gwen Fleming is based in Oban. Her paintings and prints focus on the landscape of Argyll. Gwen currently has little space for her work, so will use the VACMA grant to contribute towards the costs of setting up a studio in her garden. She will also expand the materials she uses to include oil-based materials and printmaking.

The VACMA grant will enable painter Hannah Boaden from Lochgilphead to create new surfaces to paint onto. Hannah will purchase equipment so she can cut wooden panels to size and paint on them using oil-based materials.  

Lizzie Rose, based in Ardfern, will use the VACMA support to create time and space for her work. She will leave home to camp in three locations, drawing and writing while away. During this time she will start to produce a new body of work.

Sharon Hiley from Tarbert uses mixed media. The bursary will develop her practice by allowing her to buy equipment to screen print.

VACMA will provide bookbinder Toben Lewis from Iona with a professional development opportunity. Toben will take a 'self-led residency' from his studio and learn how to create six new book structures thanks to new course materials and texts.

Multidisciplinary artist Valerie O'Regan from Innellan will use the VACMA bursary to research how to combine solar plate etching techniques with the alternative 19th-century process of cyanotype.

Alicia Hendrick from Tobermory is developing a series of works that focus on the deserted settlements of Mull. VACMA will enable Alicia to buy a printing press and other materials. She will use the press to develop prints from her recent residency at home on the west coast of the island.

CHARTS are delighted to be able to support visual artists and craft makers at all stages in their creative practices in partnership with Creative Scotland and Argyll and Bute Council.

Image: Valerie O'Regan, 'Seaward - A flight of curiosities', Cyanotype Print on paper, 50cmx70cm.