A YOUNG glasswork sculptress and a womenswear designer from Edinburgh have been shortlisted for the 2010 Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT) Jolomo Awards taking place in Oban next month.
Rachel Elliott (28) founder of Rachel Elliott Glassworks in Craigmillar and fashion designer Judith Clark (26), 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 textile designer from Dundee, furniture designer from Glasgow and a jewellery designer and silversmith are among those attending the finals which are taking place at Jolomo’s Kranenburg Gallery in Oban on the 9th December 2010.
Finalist Rachel Elliott produces kiln formed glassworks, sculptures and giftware, undertakes commissions and exhibits her award winning work at galleries and shows.
Her interest in glass started in her teens and led to her graduating with a degree in applied arts from Edinburgh College of Arts in 2007.
Ms Elliott opened her studio in January 2009 thanks to funding and advice from business support charity PSYBT and regularly hosts workshops and classes at her studio and other locations.
She is one of the few Scottish artists who for the second year running was selected to exhibit at the prestigious British Glass Biennalle 2010 exhibition, where she showed a miniature glass allotment.
Originally from Fort William, fashion designer, Judith Clark, completed her internship with fashion designer, Alexander McQueen, in London and now runs a successful fashion business in Edinburgh, thanks to funding and advice from PSYBT.
Her bespoke designs, which have been showcased in the UK, New York and Tokyo, are made using Scottish wools and Harris Tweed, which is sent from the Hebrides by her great-uncle, Donald, who produces hand-woven cloth on his loom in Shawbost.
As well as being inspired by her Scottish heritage, Ms Clark’s travels influence her designs and choice of fabrics which include exclusive hand-dyed Nepali silks, Nepali hand carved buttons, as well as vintage lace and other trinkets collected on her travels.
Last year, she was nominated designer of the year at the Scottish Style Awards 2009, and she has recently established her own studio in Edinburgh.
Commenting Mark Strudwick, chief executive of PSYBT, said: “Jolomo is without 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.
Contact Rachel Elliott
Phone: +44 (0)7709 499845
http://www.rachel-elliott.com/
Judy Clark 07933658642
www.judyrclark.com
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Contact: Jen Nash
Phone: 07971 466 220
Email: jen@panachecommunications.co.uk
Website: http://www.panachecommunications.co.uk
