Mayor Brenda Stevenson with, from left, Tara Nicholas, Business Opportunities Programme, Derry City Council, Deirdre Harte, Craft Development Officer, Derry City Council, Oonagh McGillion, Director of Legacy, Derry City Council, Boris Bally, Seliena Coyle, Curator of Reclaim/Repurpose, Martin McClelland, Bursary winner and Tara Herron, Invest Northern Ireland. Photo: .00Martin McKeown. Inpresspics.com.
Derry artist Martin McClelland will be jetting off to America for the creative opportunity of a lifetime after winning a bursary award to work alongside international urban artist Boris Bally.
The announcement was made at a special reception held last night in Derry’s Guildhall by the city’s Mayor, Councillor Brenda Stevenson, at which Martin was honoured with the Bally Bursary Award from the artist himself, who is in the city on a special residency as part of the CultureCraft programme, running throughout the LegenDerry August Craft Month.
Speaking after the award ceremony, Cllr Stevenson said she was “delighted” to be able to hand over this bursary which presented the artist with an “exciting opportunity.”
She added: “Martin is a worthy winner, and working with Boris will be a unique and enjoyable experience which many local artists have had the chance during his visit to the city.
“I would like to thank Boris for the inspiration he has instilled in our creative community in the many workshops he has led.
Martin McClelland (beside Mayor) celebrates with the Mayor Brenda Stevenson and American crafter/maker Boris Bally after he was awarded the Boris Bally Bursary Award Photo: Martin McKeown. Inpresspics.com.
“I hope he carries with him the message that Derry is an exciting craft destination with so much to offer in terms of innovation, skill and imagination, when he returns home to the US.”
Local artists, students and participants in the workshops led by Boris and his assistant Rob Boyd throughout August were in attendance at the reception, and Martin was selected from a high number of entrants who applied for the bursary.
Speaking afterwards Boris Bally said he was thoroughly impressed by the high calibre of the artists who had applied for the award.
He said: “I am really looking forward to working with Martin when he comes to our workshop in Rhode Island, and sharing what will be a creative learning experience for both of us.
“He has shown attributes of determination, creativity and brilliance throughout the residency.”
“Derry boasts such a wide array of craft talent, and I’m delighted to have had the opportunity to engage with so many artists from the North West.
“This has been a unique and inspiring experience not just for those taking part in the workshops, but also for me as a first time visitor to the city.
“I’ve enjoyed every minute of my stay here and the Derry welcome is second to none. I look forward to sharing stories of my experiences back home and I hope to return to the city to see the work that all the participants crafted, installed within the city as permanent pieces of street art.”
A number of Bally’s pieces along with a number of other international artists work are still on show at the REclaim/REpurpose Exhibition which is currently running at the Stables Building in Ebrington until the end of August. Open Daily from 10.00am-6.00pm.
Tags:
