Bursaries awarded ahead of Berwick Open Studios
Three artists granted space
The recipients of three studio bursaries at Berwick Barracks have been announced by The Maltings (Berwick) Trust.
The bursaries were made available to artists in north Northumberland and the Scottish Borders and offered the use of a studio for one month, support towards the cost of materials and mentoring opportunities.
One of the bursaries, in partnership with Berwick Open Studios, was intended to enable an artist who may not otherwise have been able to participate in the event the opportunity to do so.
That bursary goes to Julia Sweryda whose practice entails exploring ocean botanicals.
She will use the studio to enable her to participate in Berwick Open Studios and develop new creative ideas.
Sophie Morrish, who recently moved to Berwick from Scotland, will use her bursary to support the development of a new series of large scale works on paper and canvas.
Meanwhile Sinéad Kempley, an interdisciplinary artist, educator and researcher, will use hers to support her practice through the transition from PhD research into producing a series of small scale works.
James Lowther, head of visual arts for The Maltings (Berwick) Trust said: “Time and space in a dedicated studio can be crucial to an artist’s development, and we are delighted to support these locally based artists at critical points in their artistic practice.”
Julia Sweryda will undertake her bursary in September when her studio will be open during Berwick Open Studios which takes place over the weekends of September 26-27 and October 3-4.
Sophie Morrish and Sinéad Kempley will undertake their bursaries in early 2027.
The inaugural Berwick Open Studios is a pilot event by Create Berwick, the creative zone funded by Northumberland County Council and the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority.
It will enable local people and visitors to the town the chance to visit studios, witness their creative processes and perhaps buy pieces direct from the artists and makers.
People will be able to follow a trail of studios and creative venues throughout Berwick, Tweedmouth and Spittal, and there will also be galleries and exhibitions, pop-up spaces, cultural hubs and creative community groups to explore.