A YOUNG textile designer and a silversmith from Dundee have both been shortlisted for the 2010 Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT) Jolomo Awards taking place in Oban next month.
Lauren Crawford (25) who designs hand woven textiles in her own name and Genna Delaney (29) founder of Genna Design are among seven finalists whose work is being considered by John Lowrie Morrison (Jolomo) for the prestigious award and £3,000 cash prize.
The Jolomo PSYBT Awards were launched in March 2008 with the help of a £10,000 donation from Jolomo to inspire more young people with arts and crafts backgrounds living in North West Scotland and the Highlands and Islands to set up their own businesses.
This year the awards have been extended to eligible arts and crafts businesses throughout Scotland and the prize money has been increased, reflecting the John Lowrie Morrison’s aspirations for encouraging creative arts in Scotland.
A furniture maker from Ayrshire, womenswear designer from Edinburgh, and glass sculptress from Musselburgh are among those attending the finals which are taking place at Jolomo’s Kranenburg Gallery in Oban on the 9th December 2010.
Lauren Crawford graduated from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design in Dundee in 2008 and less than a year later she was able to set up her own design business thanks to funding and advice from PSYBT.
The young designer specialises in unique fabrics and fashion accessories for all occasions including scarves, collars, wedding shawls, and garters in luxury silks and woollen fibres. All her accessories are made by hand using a combination of traditional and innovative weaving structures and techniques to complete each signature item.
She regularly exhibits her work in galleries throughout the UK and New York, where she recently sold designs to Macy’s department store.
Ms Crawford has established a studio in Fife and is designer in residence at Duncan of Jordanstone.
Also from Dundee, jewellery designer and silversmith Genna Delaney established her business with help from PSYBT in April 2007.
Based in the Wasps artist studios in the city, Ms Delaney produces handcrafted award winning designs and one off pieces.
Architecture is a major influence in her work which features geometric designs and the Scottish landscape inspires some of the curves and shapes of her pendants. In the future, she hopes to run her own retail outlets and a workshop where she can teach jewellery making techniques.
Commenting Mark Strudwick, chief executive of PSYBT, said: “Jolomo is without a doubt one of Scotland’s best loved contemporary artists and we are delighted to be joined with him in this partnership which serves to provide increased business start-up opportunities and recognition for young people in the creative arts sector in Scotland.”
Congratulating the finalists, John Lowrie Morrison said “We have been delighted by the quality of applications which was extremely high. I have been a long term fan of PSYBT and am thrilled to be involved with them in this initiative. I hope that these Awards will encourage a renewed passion for Scottish arts and crafts by showcasing the talent and creativity of Scotland’s young people.”
ENDS
For media information please contact Jen Nash, Panache Communications Tel 0141 589 0514/07971 466220/Email jen@panachecommunications.co.uk
Alternatively please contact Margaret Gibson or Emma Fitzpatrick on Tel no. 0141 248 4999 or visit the PSYBT website at www.psybt.org.uk
NOTE TO EDITORS:
PSYBT was launched in January 1989 and is a national organisation with offices in 18 regions across Scotland. To date, over 10,000 businesses involving over 12,000 proprietors have been assisted with £35.4m awarded – £31.5m in loans and £3.9m in grants.
Genna Design
hello@gennadelaney.com
Wasps Artist Studios, Meadowmill, West Hendersons Wynd
Dundee , DD1 5BY Scotland
07793 291050
http://www.gennadelaney.com
Lauren Crawford
Mobile: 07783596216
Email: info@laurencrawford.co.uk
http://www.laurencrawford.co.uk
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