The 2009 Brenda Clouten Memorial Scholarship for a Young Achiever in Visual Arts

December 4 2009 — January 17 2010

Michael Randall, Pandora, digital print from flim negative, 112 x 112 cm
Michael Randall, Pandora, digital print from flim negative, 112 x 112 cm

the winner of the 2009 brenda clouten memorial scholarship for a young achiever in visual arts is michael randall congratulations!

The Brenda Clouten Memorial Travelling Scholarship presentation evening will take place at Maitland Regional Art Gallery (MRAG) on Friday December the 4th at 6pm. The scholarship which is in its fifth year offers the opportunity for a young student studying at a tertiary institution in the Lower Hunter area to embark on overseas travel which will further their artistic talent and give them new opportunities for professional development.   

This year’s finalists include Rachael Ireland, Lanelle Lee Chin, Jesse Neale, Kaitlin O’Leary and Michael Randall. The student’s works are vastly different from one another and each has very different visions of how they would use the money from the travelling scholarship if they were to win.

Rachael Ireland intends to travel to Argentina emerging herself in Spanish culture, leaning the language and volunteering in an arts program. Lanelle Lee Chin anticipates travelling to rural France and Spain, immersing herself in the people, landscape and architecture whilst documenting her experiences in different media. Jesse Neal would like to visit Venice to expand his sculptural practice, engaging with tradition boat building and local architecture and history. Kaitlyn O’Leary proposes to visit Barcelona and Cadaques, Spain keeping a detailed journal and hoping to gain an understanding of culture and everyday life. Finally Michael Randall hopes to undertake alternative photographic workshops in New York.

The finalist’s works are to be displayed within the new MRAG for six weeks and their works will be available for purchase on the opening night. The finalists are available to be contacted by the media to discuss their works, participation in the scholarship and plans for the future. The media are also encouraged to come on the opening night to take photographs and talk with finalists and gallery staff.