Scholarship sends artists on their way
ASPIRING artists in Townsville are encouraged to lodge applications for the 2017 Matt Clark Travelling Scholarship to add even more colour and energy to the city’s vibrant art scene.
The scholarship, which honours the late Matt Clark, was established to help young visual artists travel to art events and exhibitions, engage with art professionals and to develop their skills.
It provides a scholarship of $ 1000, while there is also a $ 200 Secondary School Portrait Prize.
The scholarship is administered by La Luna Youth Arts and supported by the Clark family as well as sponsors including developers Wingate Properties and Maidment Development Group.
It honours Matt Clark who tragically died in 2009 at the age of 20 just as he was beginning to establish himself as a noted young artist in Townsville.
Graphic designer and photographer Matthew Gianoulis, a 2014 scholarship recipient, has gone on to win this year’s Australian Institute of Professional Photography’s Queensland Commercial Photographer of the Year award.
Mr Gianoulis, who was able to travel to major art events and work with inter- nationally acclaimed professional artists, said the scholarship had a big impact on his career.
“It was very inspiring. I would encourage any young artist to apply for this scholarship,” Mr Gianoulis said.
Another award recipient, Nicole Zicchino, was able to travel to events in Tasmania and NSW.
Jonathan McBurnie, director of Umbrella Studio and a scholarship trustee, said the award was important to develop skills in artists as well as boost the region’s capacity and appeal.
“The Matt Clark Travelling Scholarship is an important capacity building initiative for our local artists who are provided a rare opportunity to attend professional artistic development programs not only for their own benefit but also to see those skills and knowledge brought back to their peers in Townsville,” McBurnie said.
Applications close on October 9 with a successful recipient announced on October 27.
The Secondary School Portrait Prize will be awarded at Umbrella Studios in December with some students exhibiting their works.
For more info: www.mattclarkscholarship.com.au