Clyde Hopkins Mentoring Award

The Clyde Hopkins Mentoring Award was created to provide a legacy for former A.P.T Artist and Honorary Member, the late Clyde Hopkins. In honor of the positions, he held as Head of Art Department at both Winchester School of Art and Chelsea College of Art, the Award supported emerging artists to bridge the gap between education and professional practice.

The Award provided mentoring and a free studio space for a year, for two emerging artists or recent graduates, whose practice focused on painting. Awardees also received advice and guidance on their fine art practice from an A.P.T artist member, who acted as their mentor, helping them release their full potential whilst at A.P.T.

Programme

The Award provided Mentees:

· 1 year fully paid accessible studio

· specific advice and general support about their current practice

· support from their Mentee with their end of year exhibition

· discussion about how their practice might fit within the current contemporary art world

· introductions to meet relevant members in the community of APT – artists, trustees and staff

· advice on their participation in Open Studios

· opportunities to take part in sub-committee meetings and the Annual General Meeting, to understand how a Charity operates

· induction to include H&S tour, Data Protection Guidance and General APT information

· opportunities to be involved in other A.P.T led projects throughout the year

The Award was able to provide a safe space for exploration across 1440 studio days for 4 artist recipients. It also provided interaction and conversation for the thousands of people that engaged with the mentees during annual APT Open Studios weekends and 4 weeks’ worth of exhibitions within APT Gallery that presented new work developed by mentees during their studio time.

Left to right:
Rowan Bazley (Year 2), Boudicca Collins (Year 2), Beth Cowey (Year 1) and Sophia Vigne (Year 1)

Year 1
Sophia Vigne Welsh, mentored by APT Artist Member, David Webb. Beth Cowey, mentored by APT Artist Member, Catherine Ferguson

Year 2
Boudicca Collins, mentored by APT Artist Member, Alice Wilson Rowan Bazley, mentored by APT Artist Member, David Webb

“The Clyde Hopkins Award was an invaluable experience for me. After finishing my MA at the Royal College of Art, having a free studio in London gave me the time and space to expand my practice and experiment without external pressures. The mentorship of David Webb was a real highlight, and our conversations provided guidance and encouragement throughout the year. Being part of a community of artists while also having my own dedicated studio space made the experience especially rewarding”

Sophia Vigne Welsh, Year One Awardee

“The award provided me with time, space and some structure during the transition out of study which was crucial keeping my practice going during that period. Support and critical engagement from my mentor helped my practice and my thinking to develop. Having an exhibition to work towards was brilliant and I loved being part of the APT community”

Beth Cowey, Year One Awardee

“Being selected for this award has helped my practice grow as it has provided a wonderful space to make work and experiment with materials and new ideas. Having an enclosed studio and access to outdoor space has allowed me to push the boundaries of material application. The mentorship has provided regular opportunities to check in with where the practice is and keep steering it in the right direction while also helping me feel more confident as a painter. Being part of the community at A.P.T has been truly inspiring and has led to some fantastic conversations, events and new friendships.”

Boudicca Collins, Year Two Awardee

“ The mentoring award offered me a unique opportunity to continue my practice in a private studio for the first time.

Along with thoughtful tutorship by David Webb and the relaxed environment at APT, I was given space to sit with ideas and think at a slower pace. This award arrived for me at the endpoint of two years of frenetic activity, I am grateful for this programme as it carried me into a more mature practice.

The easing of financial pressure afforded to me by the award allowed me to prioritise ideas over the limitations of materials and space. I finish the year with lightness, confidence and an optimistic outlook for the near future.

Alice Wilson and my co awardee Boudicca Collins have also given indelible insight into my practice which is worth mentioning. I personally found that the prospect of an end of year exhibition focused my mind and allowed me to sharpen my interests and activities. "

Rowan Bazley, Year Two Awardee

“Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of this award, in commemoration of the A.P.T artist Clyde Hopkins, A.P.T can continue to do what it does best; share the wisdom, creativity and talent of a vibrant and supportive community of artist members with a new generation.

This remarkable support inspired by Clyde Hopkins career as an artist and teacher, helps provide emerging artists with an invaluable experience at the very beginning of their professional careers, while also celebrating the powerful exchange of creativity, inspiration, and knowledge across generations”

Co-Chairs, APT Trustees Ann Gilmore & Jenny White