Armidale artist Phoebe Hillard will use bursary funds to travel to Canada to enhance and develop her art practice after being awarded the 2025 Helen Dangar Memorial Art Bursary.
Ms Hillard was awarded the prestigious bursary at NERAM recently and said she was very grateful and humbled to be selected to receive it.
“I am chuffed to be surrounded by such supportive friends and family that encouraged me to apply and have supported me from the beginnings of my art career,” said Ms Hillard.
“The generosity of people like Bill Dangar and the late Helen Dangar gives artists a chance to breathe financially and pursue opportunities that would not always be available to them.”
Ms Hillard’s artwork has been on display in two recent shows at NERAM and her pastel works were sold out in the recent Contemplations Still Life exhibition at NERAM.
The Helen Dangar Memorial Art Bursary is awarded yearly to a New England artist to help support a professional or creative development opportunity that will assist in improving their skills, learning new techniques or broadening their artistic horizons.
Ms Hillard will use the $3500 bursary to attend the Biannual ICAN Pastel Conference held at Neilson Park Creative Centre Ontario, Canada. This Conference hosts demonstrations and workshops by Canada’s top pastel artists with the goal of providing opportunities to learn, grow and make connections with other pastel artists from Canada and beyond.
“The workshops I will be attending have all been strategically chosen to assist me in my artistic practice by building and strengthening my skills in application of colour, composition and technique,” said Ms Hillard.
“These are areas I wish to develop stronger foundational skills and knowledge that I can confidently apply to my artistic processes, allowing me to be more decisive, to make bolder choices, streamline development of works and ideas and not be limited by the ‘reality’ of a photo or reference.
“I am so excited to have the chance to learn and grow as an artist, meet and network with people as passionate about the pastel medium as me.”
“The Helen Dangar Memorial Art Bursary, made possible by then generosity of Bill Dangar, the Dangar family and other NERAM supporters, is a wonderful opportunity provided to a New England based artist to engage in activities and opportunities that will support and develop the artist’s creative practice, contributing to the vitality and strength of our local arts landscape,” said NERAM Director Rachael Parsons.
“I send my sincere congratulations to Phoebe. I look forward to reading about her experiences at the ICAN Pastel Conference.
“I encourage all New England artists to apply for the bursary, the next round will be opening in June 2025.”
Advertising with New England Times is a cost effective and reliable way to reach New England locals who are interested and engaged. Find out more here.