The Wrekin Arts Award 2026 is now open for applicants

The Arts Society Wrekin is funding the fourth Wrekin Arts Award. The Society hopes to attract applications from talented emerging artists with roots in the Wrekin area looking to build and develop a career in the arts. We will consider applications from all branches of the Arts and Crafts, including for example, visual arts, music, drama, dance, design, textiles, ceramics, restoration, heritage and curatorial work.

The Award is in the form of a grant of £2000 to help enhance the winners skills. All applicants must be 17 years or over on the 11th of September 2026, there is no upper age limit. The winner of the award should have a clear idea about how they intend to spend the award and must be prepared to report back to The Arts Society Wrekin how it has benefitted their career.

Your application must be submitted  before midnight on Friday 11th September 2026. Applications after this deadline will not be considered.

The Application Form, Terms and Conditions and our Privacy Statement are available on our documents page Please use this link:

https://www.theartssocietywrekin.org.uk/AboutUs/Documents.aspx

If you have any questions or require an APPLICATION FORM in Word format then please email The Wrekin Arts Award Committee by:

theartssocietywrekinaward@gmail.com

(See our Gallery for examples of work by previous winners and applicants )

The winner of the 2024 Wrekin Arts Award was Gayle Fitzpatrick

Gayle is a retired school nurse, who has taken up Collage art. She sketches local scenes in Shropshire and layers her collage with paper cut from magazines. Her results are outstanding and she is now receiving commissions. Gayle has contacts in many local schools through her nursing career and plans to organise school workshops to teach collage work. Her enthusiasm is infectious.

Shortlisted finalists for 2024 Award (alphabetical order)

Natalie Furnival is a fine artist from Ironbridge. She draws in ballpoint pen.Her subjects are mainly animals and the drawings have to be seen to be believed - the results are exquisite.

Laura Hadland is a printmaker. She makes her own paper and is exploring linoprint, monoprint and gelliprint to produce outstanding images of local pubs.

Andrew Lloyd a highly talented musician who plays acoustic guitar in abandoned Norman churches in Shropshire and the Welsh borders. Andy plays music composed by himself, which he records and layers other instruments onto the recording back in his studio. The results are highly impressive. He hopes to bring attention to the Friends of Friendless Churches, and to attract audiences.

Hugh Joseph Walker is 18yrs old and has played the organ for 7 years. He is currently organist at St Margaret’s Church Aston Scott and St Mary’s Bridgnorth.He hopes to study the organ at Birmingham Conservatoire.

Hugh's enthusiasm is infectious and his playing is of a very high standard.Hugh’s recordings can be viewed on his YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@BOA23-/videos

Emily Zaadstra is in her 30s and is a costume maker. She has won numerous awards including being the Cosplay champion at gaming festivals, where she was judged on her acting, singing as well as her craftmanship. Emily’s leatherwork is exquisite and she has produced some lavish costumes, one of which she was wearing at her interview!

An example of Emily’s work can be viewed here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Di2WPoiyZZ7lPJxSmiIAvVzy_rUnFPj1/view?usp=sharing 

PREVIOUS WINNERS OF THE AWARD

Information about the previous winners is given below along with their end of term statements about the Award and any updates we have received.

The Arts Society Wrekin Award 2022

Michael James Potter ~ Winner 

Michael is largely a self-taught sculptor working in the traditional style. After originally studying architecture and technical drawing at university, he returned to his passion for anatomy and sculpting the human body, developed during his final two years of school. When in Florence, he spent time with sculptors in their workshops, learning how to develop a working studio and the process of creating a sculpture.

On his return he became an art technician and artist in residence at a local school, teaching the students anatomy, sculpture and architecture. Deciding to dedicate all his time to his professional practice, he opened his own studio on the estate at Pitchford Hall near Shrewsbury. Here he will be able to further develop his skills and has the capacity to work on larger commissions. Michael is extremely driven and has made contacts with other artists worldwide, he is determined to make a name for himself and earn his living through his art.

Michael James Potter Statement:

“It is a great honour to be ‘The Wrekin Arts Award 2022’ winner and after two years, the impact of the award has been felt in all aspects of my work and life as a figurative sculptor. The society has provided a continuous and exceptional support in practical ways, giving numerous opportunities in my professional work as a sculptor and teacher.

Winning the award provided a timely boost, allowing me to transition from Artist in Residence in a secondary school to working full time as a professional sculptor and establishing a workshop. The award and funding gave stability and continuity during what can be a challenging period, helping to cover the costs of running a workshop. The nature of the space is well suited for clay modelling, mould making and casting and is the ideal base for completing and installing large scale, ambitious projects around the U.K. As hoped, the estate where I am established has provided a beautiful and inspiring atmosphere, which I believe helps in the creation of work and provides a backdrop for students and clients to enjoy. Work is being sold directly from my workshop as planned and photographing sculptures around the estate is helping me to build my portfolio and online presence.

As I started to take on commissions, the award helped to fund the purchase of vital equipment, allowing for more ambitious and wider ranging projects. Scaffolding is used for a variety of functions from working on my larger sculptures at different heights, in a productive and safe manner, to being necessary for the installation of my commissions on site. The purchase of a pallet truck has allowed for the sculptures to be moved to different angles and positions in the workshop and outside, necessary for some of the later parts of the finishing process.

The award has also covered the costs of two multi-tools, which I have used throughout the production of my work and in the workshop generally. In particular, I have been able to improve my ability to make silicone and resin moulds, construct more advanced and stronger armatures and they have played a large role in the finishing of casts, tidying up seam lines, repairing damaged areas and articulating parts of the sculpture through precision carving.

Purchasing large quantities of silicone has allowed me to make more moulds, producing multiple casts and experiment with different casting materials, expanding my practice and creating different revenue sources.

A very important aspect of my practice is continuing to improve my skill level and gain an understanding of different areas of sculpture, both enhancing the quality of my work and learning new techniques, opening up further commissions. Part of the funding went towards artistic and professional development. Since receiving the award, I have been on a short wood carving apprenticeship and I am now taking on my first commission in this area. Having a strong grasp of form has allowed me to move into the field of carving, carrying out commissions and creating ties with other craftspeople and clients that will continue to be fruitful moving forward.

I am very grateful for the continued support from the society and we teamed up with a joint passion and vision for educating children and teenagers. Earlier this year, the society organised, funded and supported a very successful masterclass which I taught at a local college with hopefully more opportunities to come.

The society continues to give me opportunities to promote and sell my sculptures as well as providing ample networking opportunities, forming important connections. This was particularly the case with being part of the society’s 50th anniversary exhibition, showcasing work from its members and award winners in the field of visual art.

The great community that has been fostered by the society has been of tremendous benefit to me. Tapping into the wealth of knowledge and experience held by the members and connecting with previous winners and nominees for the award has allowed for the exchange of advice and expertise in the areas of setting up and running a professional practice, critiques, technical information in the field of metal work, anatomical and medical information, business skills, promotion, networking and communicating with clients and galleries as well as working with the society’s photographer, aiding the publicity of my work.

As commissions continue to grow, I have enjoyed opening up the studio, fostering a sense of community. More people have become involved in my practice, taking on two long term students with plans to increase the numbers in the new year and employing other professionals to help with different parts of the process.

I am very fortunate to be part of the society, which is a rare example of a group that is making a real difference to those in the arts. It has taken every opportunity to support me and promote my work, not only impacting positively on my career, but also making me feel a valued member of their community.”

Jemma Finch ~ Runner up 2022

Jemma is a talented glass artist based in Bridgnorth. She studied at the University of Wolverhampton and has recently exhibited some of her work in the biennale at Stourbridge Glass Museum.

Prior to University she had a career as a dancer and music still inspires her and influences the fluidity of her work.

She has recently established The Arty Space on Northgate in Bridgnorth where she can exhibit some of her work and support herself by running canvas, mosaic, glass painting and fusion workshops for both adults and children. Website:www.theartyspace.co.uk

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to The Arts Society Wrekin. Since coming runner-up in their award scheme, Amanda, The Arts Award Chairman, has gone above and beyond to stay in touch, offering support and providing invaluable help and advice, which has been instrumental in my artistic journey.

She also arranged an incredible opportunity for me to work with a local school, where the students participated in an arts project that became part of their 50th Anniversary Art Exhibition. This experience not only fostered creativity among the students but also showcased the Society’s commitment to engaging the community.

I am truly grateful for the continued support and the opportunities applying for the Award created.”

2020 Frank Hartill Arts Award winners:

Jacob Chandler ~ Joint Winner 2020

Jacob is 25 years old and lives in Wellington, having been educated at Thomas Telford School. He is not only an exceptional sculptor but an extremely nice person. He has gone on to forge a successful career in sculpting and was recently commissioned to produce a stunning 3-metre-high bronze at the Telford Centre.

Jacob Chandler Statement:

"Being awarded the bursary by The Arts Society Wrekin has been a boon to my career as an artist. It has enabled me to explore different casting options and I am now working with one of the best foundries in the UK. As a direct result my back catalogue of maquettes which I was previously unable to have cast, due to prohibitive cost are now underway in the foundry.  Since receiving the award in 2020 I have been fortunate enough to work on three large scale public sculptures which are now installed. Covid restrictions put a halt to many planned exhibitions but this year's schedule is starting to fill with exhibitions across the country and a solo show planned some time in October.  A high profile piece of work is now underway which is in alignment with the 2022 Commonwealth Games. There’s a lot more on the horizon and the support of The Arts Society Wrekin and its members has really helped me to achieve this level of success."

Kate Woodman ~ Joint Winner 2020

At the time of applying for the Award Kate was a 16-year-old scholar at Shrewsbury School, who living in Bridgnorth.

Kate is, amongst other things, an exceptional singer and actress and, like Jacob, a delightful and unassuming person. She has been made a full company member of the National Youth Theatre until she is 26 years old, and is committed to a career in performing arts.

Kate Woodman Statement:

“After winning The Arts Society Wrekin’s Frank Hartill award, I have been lucky enough to enjoy some amazing experiences in performing arts, despite lockdown. Since September I have been Carmen in ‘Fame’, Velma in ‘Chicago’ and Cecily in ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ at school, and filmed in Ireland over the summer for the new CITV series ‘Ted’s Top Ten’ where I played the character Leah. I am now in the Lower 6th and studying Drama, English and Philosophy and Theology and doing an EPQ in acting and directing. I am hoping to go with school to the Edinburgh Festival this August in their original musical of The Great Gatsby and intend to apply to drama school next year. 

I didn’t spend the money quite as planned as so much moved onto zoom, so in-person courses and tours weren’t really viable. However, I was able to use a chunk of the money (£500) on 20 zoom lessons with an amazing acting coach, Sofie Golding-Spittle, in London, and was able to focus on general acting as well as specific audition preparation. It was brilliant to be able to continue with regular, weekly acting during lockdowns. I am continuing those lessons, working on a repertoire of monologues with her for drama school auditions. I spent £650 on a DSLR camera which is fantastic as previously we had just filmed self tapes on my phone so it has really improved the quality of my auditions – the very first self tape I did on it, I got the role of Leah in Ted’s Top Ten so it definitely helped! It’s a real long term investment and not something we would have bought without the award. I now use it for all auditions and it will stay with me for many years. The last chunk of money (£350) I have spent on two days of workshop courses at RADA which I shall go to this April – the courses cover improvisation, devising, dance and singing so I think will be a brilliant boost for drama school auditions and will also be great experience to train at RADA. 

The Frank Hartill award has been fantastic – it has enabled me to go on workshops and lessons I wouldn’t otherwise have taken part in, and also buy an incredible camera – but also the support and encouragement it gave me is something I will always value.”

Update October 2025

Kate plays Louise d'Armilly in The Count of Monte Cristo directed by Bille August. Filming took place in Turin over the summer of 2023. It premiered at the Rome Film Festival 19th October 2024 and was broadcast in the UK  during the late Summer of 2025. It is now availble to stream in the UK on  the free to view channel  U&DRAMA

Update November 2024

“Kate had a busy gap year – she took the gap year diploma in acting at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London which she really enjoyed – learnt lots. She also produced, directed and played Cecile in her version of’The Importance of Being Earnest’, re-imagined in the 1950’s, at the Edinburgh Fringe which was a huge project but really rewarding. They had a great time performing there, playing to full houses, albeit in a tiny45 seat venue! She continues to be busy auditioning professionally and is doing well there, but it’s a very competitive business! She played a lead in a short film with the National Film and Television Centre in the summer which was a really good experience, and also did some work experience on a couple of shows at the Birmingham Hippodrome and Grand Theatre Wolverhampton.

She has now nearly finished her first term at Cambridge which she has loved. She has been involved in lots of things as you might imagine! We went down last week to watch her in her first Cambridge show – the Freshers musical – which was great, and we are going down next week to watch her in another, darker musical theatre production which has already played the Camden Fringe this summer (not with Kate, obviously!) called ‘The Chaplain’ – she is playing the role of the Chaplain and at the moment is deep in line learning! The academics are intense but she is managing with it all and balancing everything – but has very long full days.