Dream of France now true
USQ art student wins scholarship
LAURIE Oxenford’s dream of living in France as an artist is now a reality after receiving the prestigious Bellmaine French Appreciation Travelling scholarship at the University of Southern Queensland.
Miss Oxenford will graduate with a Bachelor of Creative Arts (Visual Arts, Spatial Construction) from USQ this year, then plans to spend 12 months in Paris, honing her craft and learning more about contemporary art practice and its history.
The Bellmaine French Appreciation Travelling Scholarship was created through a bequest left to the university by the late Keith Bellmaine.
Mr Bellmaine had a strong interest in the French culture and this scholarship encourages the recipient to pursue further education, while also participating actively in the French community.
“This scholarship has opened up many opportunities,” Miss Oxenford said.
“I am very interested in the different constructs of contemporary art culture in city, urban and regional areas.”
Miss Oxenford hails from a lavender farm in Inglewood and is a curator and resident artist at First Coat Studios, a home to local artists which provides a platform for sustainable arts practices and creative collaboration.
“I have started French lessons and am excited about what the future holds,” she said.
“I am very grateful, as this scholarship has enabled me to pursue my work in a place I’ve never been but the artist in me has always loved.
“It will also be a pivotal part of my postgraduate studies.”
More than 100 students were awarded scholarships and bursaries at ceremonies last week.