Armidale based artist Lizzie Horne was announced as the inaugural Helen Dangar Memorial Art Bursary recipient at the 32nd Packsaddle fundraising exhibition at the New England Regional Art Museum (NERAM) on Friday 20 October 2017.
The new award has been established in memory of well-known Armidale arts supporter Helen Dangar (1944-2015) with the aim of supporting the New England region’s artists to advance in their career path, helping the successful applicant to attend a creative or professional development activity (a class, workshop, masterclass, course, conference or residency) that will make a real difference to their arts practice.
As the inaugural recipient Lizzie Horne will receive a $1,500 grant towards the costs of extending her printmaking skills with studio-based tuition in aluminium etching and waterless lithography at the Fondazione Il Bisonte studio in Florence, Italy in May 2018.
“When we were setting up the Helen Dangar Memorial Art Bursary we were hoping that it would encourage local artists would aim high in what they aspired to do with the funds and Lizzie Horne has certainly done that!” said Robert Heather, Art Museum Director.
“The Fondazione Il Bisonte studio was established in 1959 as a print workshop for the graphic arts that specializes in printmaking with students from all around the world attending courses and workshops,” he said. “Now with the assistance of the Helen Dangar Memorial Art Bursary they will be welcoming a new student from the New England region of Australia in May 2018.”
Originally born in Hobart, artist Lizzie Horne is a published children’s writer and award-winning poet turned printmaker who lives in Armidale where she prints and teaches in her home studio. Lizzie is also a foundation member of the Black Gully Printmakers group at the Museum of Printing (at NERAM).
“I am honoured and thrilled to be chosen to carry the legacy of such a well loved and admired member of our community, it is a fantastic opportunity to develop my artistic practice with the spirit of Helen Dangar blowing gently in my sails, pushing me on,” said artist Lizzie Horne.
“The Helen Dangar Memorial Art Bursary will give me a chance to work with leading teachers and printmakers in a specialist studio in inspirational Florence.”
NERAM would like to thank Bill Dangar, the Dangar Family, Friends of NERAM, Packsaddle and the many donors and supporters who donated almost $70,000 through the NERAM Foundation towards establishing this annual bursary.
The New England Regional Art Museum will be next calling for applications for the bursary from artists across the entire New England region in August 2018.
Image Above:
Lizzie Horne (centre) recipient of the inaugural Helen Dangar Memorial Art Bursary with Bill Dangar and Rachael Parsons, NERAM Manager Curatorial & Exhibitions
