The Bermuda Society of Arts (BSOA) is pleased to announce that Chakiya Ottley has been awarded the 2012 BSOA Bursary Award in the amount of $5,000.

Some 14 aspiring artists applied for the bursary by submitting portfolios of their work. Five candidates were short-listed for interview by members of the BSOA’s bursary selection committee – BSOA governing body members Dr. Jolene Bean and Barbara O’Shaughnessy and former BSOA co-president Dr. Edwin Smith.

“We were so impressed with the high quality of the submissions, that we had a very hard time deciding on the winner” said Barbara O’Shaughnessy, “in fact, we held a special meeting of the Governing Body to see whether we could award more than one bursary.  It was decided that we would give the finalists a free solo show of their work at the Bermuda Society of Arts to showcase their outstanding portfolios.”  Congratulations to the four runners-up: Deondre Cumberbatch, Kayla Jackson, Sarai Hines and Tiara Ming; we look forward to seeing more of their artwork on display at the gallery.

The Bermuda Society of Arts (BSOA) is pleased to announce that Janika Sherree Fields has been awarded the 2011 BSOA Bursary Award in the amount of $5,000.

 Ms. Fields, 21, will soon begin her senior year at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia, where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising, with a minor in Photography.

 The graduate of Bermuda Institute, a resident of Devonshire when she is not away at school, is a former volunteer at the BSOA. She has participated in a number of workshops presented by the organisation, and recently exhibited a series of photographs as part of the BSOA’s Emerging Artists exhibition.

 Ms. Fields, who didn’t own her own camera until she obtained a Nikon D300S while in her first year of college, says photography – particularly black and white – is her passion.

 “I would like to explore the world in black and white, whether it is on my 35mm camera or a large format camera,” she says. “I like black and white because of the quality of the work produced, and being able to develop my own film and prints is more intimate and more fun. I feel more connected with my work because I am involved in the entire process from loading the film to framing the prints for a show.

 “I am a storyline photographer, and all my work is staged … telling a story,” she says. “I use my imagination to create storylines that people my age can relate to.”

 Ms. Fields says she is keen on a career in advertising, but is also considering pursuing a Master’s degree in teaching so that she can “teach up and coming photographers the beauty behind the lens”.

Ms. Field’s portfolio included her advertising/graphic design work, as well as photography.

Read article in Royal Gazette August 30 2011

BSoA Annual Bursary winner announced:

BSoA is proud to announce that Samantha Gosling is the recipient of the 2010 $5,000 Bursary.

Samantha Gosling, 21, is an illustration major enrolled in a four-year degree programme at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), from which she aims to graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.

The road to RISD began at the Bermuda High School for Girls, where Miss Gosling received her general education through to GCSE level at Grade 11, and where she excelled at art. However, because the art programme at Williston Northampton School in Massachusetts better suited her needs, she completed her junior and senior years there, and earned the senior year Painting Prize along the way.

“I feel great about winning the bursary,” she told the BSoA. ”It’s my final year, so the money will come in very handy.”

Rachel Furbert – The Penland School of Crafts Student

Artist’s Statement :  I am the 2009 recipient of the BSOA bursary award. I used the award for two months study at The Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina. I recently completed this course in November and have grown tremendously since then in the area of ceramics. I left Bermuda as a ceramic decorator at Bermuda Clayworks having never touched a pottery wheel to creating everything from mugs to teapots to plates. Since returning I have entered work in the Small Works show at Bermuda Art Center in Dockyard and have had my own show in Studo B at BSoa Galleries. I’ve also had a gallery night at Bermuda Clayworks and I’m working toward having my own line of pottery sold there. I am very grateful that BSoA awarded me the bursary and saw my potential and this in return has helped me to broaden my artistic horizon and get a solid start and boost on my career as an artist. This Bursary Award program is a great one and can help and encourage other young artist like myself to get the same start on their artist career. Thank you BSoA again and I hope this program will continue and that other young artists take advantage of it.

Royal Gazette Article Sept 1 2009

Royal Gazette Article Jan 11 2010

As the 2008 recipient of the BSOA Bursary I was honored, and thankful to have been selected for this award. The BSOA Bursary is assisting greatly with my success at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah Georgia.  The bursary has been truly been a great support in my studies as I have maintained my status on the Dean List since 2008. The bursary supported my tuition and fees and the purchase of art and design supplies which will carry me through my studies.

As a junior in the BA program of Interior Design, I have had many opportunities to express myself through art and design. With each project, a new element of my artistic style unfolds. I have been working with need mediums both by hand and digitally. I am excited about where I am today, because I have begun to explore in great depth my passion, interior design. As something new is discovered each day I am reminded that I am being prepared to truly take my place as a designer and as a creator of change in the future. I have accepted the challenge to also minor in Sustainable Design. This choice has exposed me to the possibilities and the responsibility that creative persons have in being advocates for change in this diverse and ever changing world.

In the future it is my desire to promote the use of art and design, whilst educating and inspiring the people of Bermuda. Travel for more exposure in the Interior Design field on an international level is also one of my future goals.  Interior Design has become my outlet to make real and memorable differences in the lives of others and I look forward to sharing this gift with as many people as I can.

Vanessa Bean
Interior Design B.A. Student

Recipient of 2007 BSoA Bursary Award Kaamila Al-Amin.

(Hamilton, Bermuda– August 27, 2007:   A four year dream becomes a reality for the Bermuda Society of Arts as they announce the first recipient of The BSoA Bursary ‘Palette’ Award. And the winner is… Ms. Kaamilah Al-Amin!

 “The call for applications was well received, not only in the number of submissions, but the quality of the applicants” spokeswomen for the BSoA, Director, Victoria Evans-Cracknell said. “The Education Bursary Award Committee had a challenge on their hands with their final decision, though ultimately Ms. Al-Amin fulfilled all of the requirements, receiving the highest score possible. It is with great pleasure to reward such a talented and goal orientated young women as Kaamilah. We wish her much success in all of her endeavors, but, particularly, obtaining her degree in the graphic arts”.

Locally born in 1988, Kaamilah was influenced by the visual arts at a young age. Throughout her elementary school education she won several prizes in numerous art projects and went on to receive her first formal training at twelve years of age, when she enrolled in a summer art program in the home of renowned Bermudian artist, Sharon Wilson. It was here that young Kaamilah discovered her new passion, art.

In 2002 at the beginning of her high school education at Berkeley Institute, Kaamilah quickly began accepting commissioned assignments from her classmates, teachers, and people within her community. Throughout her high school years she participated in numerous arts related projects while continuing to receive numerous awards for her creative endeavors.

Today, this dynamic young lady is pursuing a career in the graphic arts. Currently studying at St. Lawrence College inKingston,Ontario,Canadain a three year advanced diploma program.

Kaamilah also intends to later study Fine Arts in theUSwhere she plans to continue exploring other forms of visual arts. Her aspirations for the future? Open and run an art gallery. Who knows maybe one day Kaamilah will return and assume the reins as the Gallery Director for the Bermuda Society of Arts?

Royal Gazette Article  Aug 31 2007

I was the BSoA Bursary Award recipient in 2006. Receiving this bursary was of such great assistance as I was about to begin my Masters in Fine Art degree at Parsons, the New School for Design in New York City. The support of the Bermuda Society of Arts through this award was not only financial, but also a sign of faith that the organization had in my artistic ability, which proved invaluable. I went on to graduate with an MFA degree with honours in 2008 and have since had a number of artistic successes both in Bermuda and in New York. I wish the new recipient the best of luck in their creative endeavors and hope the BSoA continues this great program, as it is very important to the future of Bermuda’s artistic community.

Peter Lapsley, MFA

New York

Article Royal Gazette Nov 22 2007

Article Royal Gazette Apr 28 2007

Article Royal Gazette Feb 27 2007

Show  in New York November 20 2010