Sophie Sweeney, 25, from Sunderland, is in the final year of her BA Artist Designer Maker: Glass and Ceramics degree. Sophie has used her scholarship to both improve her practice, and to gain a practical insight into a future career.
“The Mike Davies Scholarship has given me the opportunity to be ambitious with my creations and techniques. In March I was very lucky to have been accepted onto a placement with The Glass Hub down in Trowbridge where I helped assist a masterclass by glass artist Nina Casson McGarva. Some of Mike’s funding allowed me to take a day trip into Bath where I visited the Bath Aqua glassblowing studios. I spoke to the glass blowers there who told me about their experiences with glass and the internships and apprenticeships they offer. It was useful to get insights into opportunities like this for when I graduate.
“In my end of year exhibition I created a body of work with hand-built ceramics and glass blown sculptures. It was a collection of giant terracotta figures and for my glass work, I made a glass blown car. I was very honoured to receive two prizes on the night for ‘best in ceramics’ and ‘best in show’ and it was an incredible experience exhibiting my work in such a beautiful gallery, with a Tintoretto painting as the backdrop to my work.
“I really enjoyed visiting Mike in London at the beginning of this year and visiting the Leadenhall building was an amazing experience. I loved being shown The British Museum with Mike, it was the first time I have visited there and the collections were incredible. I will be going back to The British Museum in July whilst on a drawing workshop with the Royal Drawing School so I am excited to revisit.
“I’d like to say a huge thank you to Mike for the experience in London and for the scholarship. I have had so many wonderful experiences this year that have been made possible through this funding and it has allowed me to continue to develop my work and practice further than I could have imagined.”
The Mike Davies Scholarship offers £1,500 per academic year for new students studying:
- BA (Hons) Animation and Games Art
- BA (Hons) Illustration and Design
- BA (Hons) Photography, Video & Digital Imaging