BA Glass and Ceramics student Joanna Lamoureux received support from the Sunderland Robson Art & Design Scholarship during her first year of University. Joanna claims that having the extra funds available during lockdown made a huge difference to her studies. With the scholarship money she was able to create a workspace in her house and buy textbooks and artists books.
She explained: “As I am studying glass and ceramics, I needed a large, easily cleanable work surface for drawing, painting, writing and of course for working with clay which can get a bit messy. Thanks to the scholarship I was able to buy a large ex-office desk. I also acquired a chair and storage to help organise my supplies and completed work. Without a doubt, I would not have been able to complete this year’s practical coursework without this working area.
“Not only was I able to keep my kids safe from my materials, it also kept my work safe from my kids! Additionally, I was able to get essential materials including a huge quantity of porcelain clay, coloured stains and workshop tools to use in my projects.
“I was able to complete my projects to a good standard and achieve a grade of 72% for the work I created at home which I am very pleased with. My course leader praised the work I completed and the methods and ways of working which were possible because of my dedicated workspace.”
She continued: “I have also used some of the funding to buy textbooks and artists books which will greatly improve my understanding of my area of study. I was able to attend a lecture by Alison Britton at the Centre of Ceramic Art situated at York Art Gallery with some members of the Ceramics Society, which I found very beneficial and eye opening to my practice.”
Joanna, who used to work in a bakery years ago making wedding cakes, decided to return to higher education in 2015 as she likes making things.
“I loved modelling the sugarpaste flowers and figures but was always a little sad when they got eaten,” she said.
Through her studies Joanna has enjoyed modelling and casting as part of the making process and is extremely interested in ceramic glazes.
She concluded: “I would like to thank the Robson Fund and the committee for awarding me this money. I have been able to use the funds in several ways which have benefitted my studies this year, and especially during the COVID-19 lockdown.”