In commemoration of the esteemed artist, educator, writer, and arts manager, Robyn Daw (1958–2022), the Friend Family, in collaboration with the Logan City Council, has established the Robyn Daw Memorial Scholarship. This initiative, spanning five years, is generously supported by Robyn’s partner, renowned artist Ian Friend, and their son Dexter. The scholarship is dedicated to providing financial aid, professional development, and exhibition exposure to young local artists within the City of Logan.
For the past decade leading up to her passing, Robyn Daw served as the Creative Industries Program Leader at the Logan City Council. Her creative legacy, spanning numerous decades, was posthumously honored with a Gallery and Museum Achievement Award (GAMAA), a testament to her lifelong contributions to the arts.
Commencing on October 20, 2023, and concluding at 2 pm on November 20, 2023, the scholarship aims to bolster young artists in the City of Logan, whose creative practices are rooted in their cultural backgrounds. Eligible candidates must meet specific criteria, including residency in the City of Logan, age between 18 to 30, and the creation of artwork in diverse forms, such as ceramics, drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, textiles, glass, photography, video, multimedia, or new technologies, suitable for public gallery exhibition.
Up to eight promising applicants will be shortlisted to develop works for exhibition at the Logan Art Gallery from April 26 to June 1, 2024. These selected artists will also partake in a fully funded, four-day professional development and workshop program in March 2024. As a gesture of support, each shortlisted participant will receive an artist fee of $425. Following the program and exhibit installation, one exceptional artist will be granted the Scholarship Fee of $7000, along with a private mentorship session.
It is worth noting that the scholarship actively encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, emphasizing the importance of diverse cultural representation in the arts.
The Professional Development component of the scholarship, titled “The Path,” will be conducted under the guidance of Dr. Kellie O’Dempsey. This program is designed to facilitate both workshops and mentorship, guiding artists through the conceptualization and production stages of a cohesive body of work. Over four intensive days, artists will engage in individual consultations and receive critiques to refine their artistic practice. The program aims to establish processes and frameworks for artists to delve into the ‘hows’ and ‘whys’ of their artwork, unraveling meanings, and grounding their practice in both historical and contemporary Queensland art.
The Path is tailored to empower artists to:
- Identify the core of their artistic exploration.
- Bridge the gap between concepts and project execution.
- Articulate and comprehend the interplay of practice, concept, and delivery.
- Design and deliver an artistic project, series, or body of work.
- Engage in constructive critique and discussions with fellow artists and arts professionals.
- Comprehend the essential components of a professional proposal for presentation.
Key dates for the Professional Development workshops are as follows:
- Applications Close: November 20, 2023, at 2 pm.
- Artists Informed of Selection Outcome: December 12, 2023.
- Professional Development Workshop Dates: March 16, 17, 22, and 23, 2024.
- Joint Exhibition at Logan Arts Gallery: April 26 to June 1, 2024.
- Scholarship Winner Announcement: May 3, 2024.
The Robyn Daw Memorial Scholarship stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of a remarkable individual and seeks to provide a platform for emerging artists to flourish, allowing them to draw upon their cultural backgrounds to enrich the artistic landscape of the City of Logan. It is a beacon of opportunity, offering a nurturing environment for artists to develop, grow, and contribute to the vibrant tapestry of the arts community.
