Liverpool Hope’s emerging artists showcase their talent at 2024 degree show
Emerging artists at Liverpool Hope University showcased their creative talent at the opening night of the 2024 Visual Arts Degree Show.
Hosted by the School of Creative and Performing Arts, this annual event celebrates final year undergraduate work from a variety of courses, including, Fine Art, Film & Visual Culture and Graphic Design.
The 2024 edition launched on Friday 21 June with a private viewing and will remain open to the public until this Sunday 30 June.
Representatives of leading cultural organisations from Liverpool and beyond were in attendance on the opening night, including Georgina Dhillon, founder of London’s Zari Gallery, Simon Ryder of Liverpool Book Art and Cass Art Store, which has been based in Liverpool city centre since 1984.
Students who have demonstrated exceptional talent were recognised at an awards ceremony which took place during the private viewing.
The prizes included the Simon Ryder Residency Award, which provides the winner with six months of funding to develop their creative practice, and the Liverpool Hope University Carter Preston Foundation Bursary Award.
Named after a local sculptor, designer and printmaker, this prize offers three £1,000 bursaries and the opportunity to receive 12-months of mentoring and support with professional development from university staff.
Fine Art student, James Stacey, was one of the recipients of this prize and was also recognised with the Zari Gallery Exhibition Award, which will see him present his work at the gallery.
“I think it will be huge for my practice with the exposure London provides,” he said.
“To be able to be seen by collectors or curators who work in galleries can really push my name out there and help me progress my practice.”
Luisa Birrane, who won the Simon Ryder Residency Award and the Zari Gallery prize echoed this sentiment and was full of praise for how the University has developed her as an artist.
She said: “It’s really exciting for me. I feel proud.
“Hope is a really nurturing environment. It’s enabled me to be bold, confident and experimental as well.”
Lynn Hilditch, Subject Lead for Fine Art and Design, added: “This year’s degree show has once again highlighted the remarkable talent and creativity of our students across a number of disciplines.
“It is incredibly rewarding to see the culmination of their efforts and I am delighted we have this opportunity to celebrate their achievements before they progress onto the next stage of their careers.
“We are very proud of everything they have accomplished and I hope the public take the time to come and enjoy the high standard of work that has been produced.”
Check out the photos from the private viewing, here.
2024 Visual Arts Degree Show Prize Winners
Abacus Resources Award
Yasmin Burke
Pete Cummings Award
Ella Brunt
Cass Art Award
Winner: Caitlin McCormick
Runners-up: Molly Thompson and Yasmin Burke
Simon Ryder Residency Award
Luisa Birrane
Liverpool Hope University Art Collection Purchase Prize
Holly de-Beaufort
Laurel Atkinson
James Stacey
Ellie Atkin
Kenzie Sullivan
Patrick Connolly
Zari Gallery Exhibition Award
Holly de-Beaufort
Phoebe Richardson
Ellie Sibbald
Rachael Gregory
Laura Atkinson
Joshua Field
Daisy Johnson
Ella Brunt
James Stacey
Ellie Atkin
Beth Hardman
Luisa Birrane
Jessica Allen
Weronika Salbert
Harry Garner
Liverpool Hope Carter Preston Foundation Bursaries Award
Caitlin McCormick
Harriet Kokkoris
James Stacey
