Sculpture by the Sea today announced three young NSW artists as recipients of the Clitheroe Foundation Emerging Sculptor Mentorships of $10,000. The 2012 recipients are Elyssa Sykes-Smith, Kate Stehr and Aaron Anderson.
The Clitheroe Foundation Emerging Sculptor Mentorship program was established in 2006 to help establish meaningful mentorships between emerging and established sculptors by facilitating a skills exchange and providing a forum for professional and technical development. Elyssa, Kate and Aaron will choose their own mentors in the coming weeks and be under their professional guidance for 10 months.
Elyssa Sykes-Smith is currently in her 3rd year of studying a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the National Art School, majoring in Sculpture. The 21 year old Dulwich Hill resident was awarded the 2011 People’s Choice Prize at the ‘Arts in the Valley Garden’ sculpture exhibition, as well as the FONAS (Friends of the National Art School) Discipline Prize for 2nd Year Sculpture at the National Art School in 2011. 2012 is the first time Elyssa has exhibited at Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi.
Kate Stehr is 31 year old Figtree resident and Visual Arts teacher. Kate graduated from the National Art School in 2007 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and has been exhibiting in solo and group exhibitions since 2004. This will be Kate’s second time exhibiting at Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi.
Aaron Anderson is a 36 year old sculptor from Ashfield, NSW. Aaron was born and raised in Kansas, USA and now lives and works in Sydney. Aaron is a cross-disciplinary artist and holds a Masters in Fine Arts from The Cranbrook Academy of Art in Detroit, Michigan. Aaron made his debut at Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi last year in a collaborative work with Anne Zahalka.
“The support of Paul and Vicki Clitheroe through their Foundation for three emerging artists a year for the past 7 seven years is one of the main means of support for emerging sculptors in Australia and one of the most enjoyable artist programs run through Sculpture by the Sea’ commented Founding Director of Sculpture by the Sea, David Handley.
“I am very excited to be presented with such a great opportunity to learn and the Mentorship has opened a door to wonderful possibilities for my career,” said recipient Kate Stehr. “I intend to work hard and make the most of this experience.”
All three Clitheroe Foundation Emerging Sculptor Mentorship recipients will exhibit in Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2012 later this year.