A YOUNG jewellery designer in the Borders has been shortlisted for the 2010 Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT) Jolomo Awards taking place in Oban next month.
Robyn Kinsman Blake (23) who designs jewellery and silverware at her studio in Smaiholm is 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.
Edinburgh College of Art graduate Ms Blake, set up her studio in Smailholm in the Scottish Borders in October 2009 thanks to funding and assistance from PSYBT which helps 18-25 year-olds start up and continue in business.
Inspired by the diverse range of colours, textures, patterns and forms found in the animal kingdom the young designer creates unique pieces of jewellery and silverware, using her sketches and paintings which are abstracted and translated into silver and wood.
She also transforms old jewellery, stones and silverware into contemporary bespoke pieces which she sells in the Kinsman-Blake Ceramics and Gallery and a wide variety of galleries and other outlets.
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.
Robyn can be contacted on +44 (0) 1620 890666
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