This week, we celebrated the hard work and achievements of our graduating MA Students in Fine Art, Conservation and Art & Material Histories at their end of year ceremony and prize giving.
The evening opened with a welcome from the Chair of the Board of Trustees, Jamie Bill, who commended the graduands and the impressive display of work in their MA Show, which has been running from 2-9 September. Special thanks were given to colleagues and the wider Art School Faculty for their work ‘to create an environment where great talent, as we see today, can be nurtured’.
Jamie Bill, Chair of the Board of Trustees
Graduands from each of the courses spoke on behalf of their cohorts, with Valentino Vannini representing MA Fine Art, and Agata Nowak, Sarah Cleary and Emily Jieun Kim (Leverhulme Arts Scholar) representing MA Art & Material Histories. Each of their addresses acknowledged their fellow students and tutors for their guidance and support over their time at the Art School.
Valentino Vannini, MA Fine Art
(L-R) Emily Jieun Kim (Leverhulme Arts Scholar), Sarah Cleary and Agata Nowak, MA Art & Material Histories
“We were constantly challenged in an environment where care was modelled every day. Everyone in the school made time to give us a moment of their day to support us, and everyone has shown genuine interest in what we’re learning… The course has resulted in amazing alchemy which has left me with some life-long friends. To refer to them as my colleagues, professionally speaking, they are masters in their disciplines, and incredible guides to everyone else too. They have made this course so very memorable.” Valentino Vannini, MA Fine Art
The students handed over to the Heads of Department to give their addresses and present the graduands with their certificates and awards. Tom Groves, Head of Art Histories, praised the MA Art & Material Histories 2023 cohort for producing ‘some of the most conceptually exciting and materially-rich work [he had] ever seen’. Robin Mason, Head of Fine Art, reflected on the initial meeting that took place 25 years ago to discuss the delivery of an MA course at the Art School, and how proud those who had been present would be of this year’s graduands.
We were delighted to then be joined by Lady Bridgeman, Managing Director and founder of the Artists’ Collecting Society, to present the ACS City & Guilds of London Art School Studio Prize. This year, the prize was awarded to Alice MacDonald, MA Fine Art. This award provides funding for the winning recipient to secure studio space in London for one year, supporting their transition into their career as a professional artist.
Lady Bridgeman, Artists’ Collecting Society
The ceremony was closed by the Art School Principal, Dr Lois Rowe, who thanked all those who have supported our students; from friends and family, to the Art School’s trustees and donors, and their tutors. Lois ended her closing remarks by saying, ‘it has been a privilege to witness the success of this year group, and I have no doubt these talented graduates will achieve great things’.
Dr Lois Rowe, Principal
We wish our graduating MA students the very best of luck, and congratulate them once again on an exceptional end of year show. Please take a look at our Images Gallery to see a range of the work on display, alongside photos from the End of Year Ceremony.
2023 Graduate Prizes and Awards
The Tony Carter Award: Camilla Dilshat, MA Fine Art
The ACS City & Guilds of London Art School Studio Prize: Alice MacDonald, MA Fine Art
City & Guilds of London Art School Prize for Outstanding Critical Engagement: Amelia Bowles, MA Fine Art
City & Guilds of London Art School Prize for Outstanding MA Fine Art Exhibition: Damaris Athene, MA Fine Art
The Standpoint Artist’s Residency: Valentino Vannini, MA Fine Art
The Worshipful Company of Painter Stainers’ Decorative Surfaces Fellowship: Eloise Dethier-Eaton, MA Fine Art
City & Guilds of London Art School Prize for Outstanding Work in Print: Benjamin Topping, MA Fine Art
The Printmaking Prize for Technical Excellence: Sally Weatherill, MA Fine Art
The Skinners’ Company Stephen Gooden Prize for Engraving: Alice MacDonald, MA Fine Art
Alice MacDonald, MA Fine Art, winner of the ACS City & Guilds of London Art School Studio Prize and the Skinners’ Company Stephen Gooden Prize for Engraving
Eloise Dethier-Eaton, MA Fine Art, winner of the Worshipful Company of Painter Stainers’ Decorative Surfaces Fellowship
Camilla Dilshat, MA Fine Art, winner of the Tony Carter Award
Damaris Athene, MA Fine Art (Leverhulme Arts Scholar), winner of the City & Guilds of London Art School Prize for Outstanding MA Fine Art Exhibition
Amelia Bowles, MA Fine Art (Leverhulme Arts Scholar), winner of the City & Guilds of London Art School Prize for Outstanding Critical Engagement
Ben Topping, MA Fine Art, winner of the City & Guilds of London Art School Prize for Outstanding Work in Print
Sally Weatherill, MA Fine Art, winner of the Printmaking Prize for Technical Excellence
Valentino Vannini, MA Fine Art, winner of the Standpoint Artist’s Residency