Patricia Mayes had always dreamed of working in the arts. Having taught herself on how to create in many mediums, Patricia decided to study Fine Art at the University of Sunderland to develop her skills further.
She said: “I am a mature student with a huge passion for creating in many mediums of which I have taught myself. University has allowed me to develop other skills I may not have had the opportunity to, like printmaking. I have discovered I love lino printing and I am developing ways to explore the medium and stretch it to the limit of what it can achieve. I wish to be involved in making art and teaching.”
Thanks to the Sunderland Robson Art & Design Scholarship Patricia was able to rebuild her home art studio which had suffered in the storms.
She explained: “Initially I applied for the scholarship in order to have additional funds to travel to broaden my creative horizons. Then COVID-19 hit, and everything changed. I decided to revaluate what I was going to do.
“My home art studio at the time had suffered in the storms earlier in the year. I lost part of the roof felting and water had got in, and mould developed. I was devastated to discover I had lost artwork to this mould and damp. It made the space impossible to use.
“So, my very handy engineer husband was put to work rebuilding a new one, on firmer ground in our garden. The Sunderland Robson Art & Design Scholarship provided enough money to be able to build a space which will still be solid for decades to come, and beyond finishing my degree.”
She concluded: “I wish to offer a debt of gratitude to the Robson Fund and the committee for offering me the scholarship.”